The interim leader of the opposition Zimbabwe People First party, Joice Mujuru, says members of Movement for Democratic Change and Mavambo Kusile Dawn are defecting to her party though she does not rule out a coalition with other opposition parties to challenge President Robert Mugabe in the next polls.
On working with her longtime rival and now under fire Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mrs. Mujuru told VOA Studio 7 there are conditions and the major one being acceptance by the grassroots.
“As national democrats and as People First, we want to listen to the ordinary people. And we are going to practice that. Nobody who is coming to People First is coming with their baggage, whether you have been holding the highest posts where ever you are coming from. In People First we do not recognize that. You are coming as a person and you start from zero. It’s the people who will promote you.”
Mrs. Mujuru says ever since she was expelled from Zanu-PF and fired from her post as vice president she has managed to understand the plight of Zimbabweans as she now spends more time with them including going to dip cattle.
She announced the registration of her party that occurred on Friday in a short statement, which read, “We are pleased to announce the formal registration of Zimbabwe People First (People First) as a political party through the lodging of the constitution of the party with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on the 12th of February 2016.”
She added that “People First is a home-grown, inclusive party that will promote the wishes and aspirations of Zimbabweans first.”
In an exclusive interview with Voice of America’s Studio 7, Mrs. Mujuru was asked if she is indeed now the interim president of the party. In her response on Monday, she said, “Yes please.”
