Tsvangirai is a pretender driven by self interest-Mutambara

Posted in News Updates on 16th Feb, 2008

Harare: Leader of one of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),formation, Arthur Mutambara has labeled Morgan Tsvangirai the leader of the other MDC formation a pretender driven by self interests instead of national interests.

Mutambara was speaking at a press conference to announce his party’s support for Simba Makoni’s candidature in the forthcoming presidential election.

He said his formation’s decision to endorse Makoni’s candidature was inspired by Makoni’s ability to unify people from across the political divide as opposed to other “pretenders” in apparent reference to Tsvangirai whom Mutambara attempted to court for a unified front before the talks collapsed.

He said described Makoni as a strategic thinker driven by a strategic vision and not by personal short-term interests. “I am here to announce that our political party has decided to endorse the presidential bid of Dr Makoni. Dr Makoni’s track record of achievements speaks for itself. His technocratic capacity and strategic vision have inspired us to endorse his presidential candidature,” Mutambara said.

“And because I am a national leader, and in pursuance to my commitment in putting national interests ahead of my personal interests, I have decided to suspend my bravado in support of Dr Makoni’s presidential candidature,” said Mutambara. He called on other political parties to rally solidly behind Makoni because he had shown courage and bravery to move from ZANU Pf and offer to challenge president Robert Mugabe in the election. Mutambara predicted a tough election being held under conditions of violence. Mutambara said despite reservations on Tsvangirai his party’s had come very “close” to clinching a unity deal with Tsvangirai. “Despite reservations that we had on the leader of the other MDC formation, we were prepared to swallow pride and accept him as the sole candidate for the election and we were very close to that agreement. We are sitting on the crossroads to deliver political change but what has been missing has been strategic vision.