Harare(ZimEye)Mavambo Kusile Dawn leader, Simba Makoni, has fired back at President Robert Mugabe who recently ridiculed him calling him a memberless party leader who says people support him because he is called ‘Simba’.
In an address to ZANU PF Central Committee members on the 30th March 2012, Mugabe said that Makoni is struggling in a political wilderness and thinks people will support him merely because he is called ‘Simba’.
Said Mugabe: “I asked him who is following you?Oh by the way do you have a party? He then replied aah! the people will vote for me because I am called Simba”
Mugabe was speaking on the subject of disunity in his Party in general and the 2008 exit of Simba Makoni and Dumiso Dabengwa from ZANU PF in particular.
But in a statement the party fired back at Mugabe:

“Of all the people, President Mugabe should be the last person to wish Simba Makoni well. Makoni has the full support of the National Management Committee (NMC), which is the highest decision making body of the Party, working together as a team in search of a permanent solution to the country’s problems which the shaky Inclusive Government (IG) of Zimbabwe has failed to solve. In the country’s provinces, there are some M.K.D structures and activities going on.

M.K.D commands a strong backing from multitudes of Zimbabweans across the political divide. No amount of politicking will dissuade the suffering people of Zimbabwe from following the M.K.D idea.

We are satisfied with the Party’s pace of growth and have no reason whatsoever to be apologetic to President Mugabe. Any political competitor who elects to underestimate M.K.D and its leader is not respecting the people of Zimbabwe and will be doing so at his/her own peril. We will not justify even the least why M.K.D is now a force to reckon with in Zimbabwe’s body politic.

There is no doubt that Simba Makoni, his hardworking team together with the overwhelming support of enlightened Zimbabweans will form the next Government. We do not need the endorsement of intolerant political competitors. We would be worried if such remarks were coming from thirteen million (13 000 000) Zimbabweans. M.K.D has the backing of people and that is all we need at the moment. President Mugabe’s utterances do not reflect a popular sentiment and M.K.D will give him a rude awakening come next elections, which we hope will be conducted in an environment that guarantees a free and fair outcome.

Currently we are working for a better Zimbabwe of tolerance, inclusion, transparency, accountability, democracy and equal opportunities for all.

We are a serious game changer and neither an easy pushover nor cry baby in this field. We will stand our ground with equal measure. M.K.D has all it takes not only to contest, but win elections, govern effectively and efficiently and make this country work again.

Simba Makoni and M.K.D are here to stay and not going anywhere. We cannot be wished away just like that. By now, at least President Mugabe should know better. He would not have been so jittery if Makoni was not an issue in the country’s body politic. We urge all Zimbabweans to ignore such statements and remain focused. People of Zimbabwe know what is good for them. We sympathise with the majority of people during the painful phase that our nation is going through. The furnace of affliction produces refinement in the country and its people. A new beginning is nearing.

Let us all work very hard to usher in a new administration of leaders willing to serve and not be served. Leaders with people at heart!