The clergman, the Americans and former VP

◆ From Page 1 ocratic element”.

A clergymen would provide the “finishing” with a social platform.

A source said: “The idea of roping in the bishop was to ensure that both sides listened to a ‘neutral’ that they both respect. From what we’ve gathered, Bishop Bakare has been running this project for some time now and, of course, the Western hand is not too far here.

“Tsvangirai ceased being their main opposition figure following his many electoral defeats. Contact had been made with Amai Mujuru while she was in Government; it therefore did not take time for them to ‘ locate’ her when she was booted out of Zanu-PF and Government.”

Another source close to People First said, “It was Jabu who pressured Mai Mujuru to lead Gamatox as People First. Otherwise, she was at sixes and sevens. It was also him who pressured her to issue that statement that is the manifesto.

“Ibbo Mandaza, I understand, penned that document and he is working as a technocrat within the limited structures.”

Bishop Bakare and Dr Ibbo Mandaza could not be reached for comment, while People First spokesman Rugare Gumbo declined commenting.

Political analysts scoffed at the planned alliance as another telling sign of Westerners’ rabid fi xation with opposing President Mugabe.

National Constitutional Assembly leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku said: “As the NCA, we have made our position clear before that we will not be part of such a coalition.

‘‘I find it amazing that the Mujuru group would want to form a political party for the sake of being in a coalition.

“You should form your party to grow your ideas, get the buy-in from the people, rather than form a party just to get power.

‘‘As the NCA ,our ambition is not to be part of any coalition but to reach out to the people.”

National University of Science and Technology Dean of Communication and Information Science Dr Lawton Hikwa said: “I would be surprised if such a coalition would ever bear fruit. I think it is just talk which should be dismissed.

‘‘We have an opposition party, the MDC, which has been splitting almost endlessly over the years. I have even lost count of the number of MDCs that are there now.

“Look, political parties should be based on a sound ideology. What ideology will that coalition seek to advance? All I see here are people eyeing the Presidency and aiming to remove President Mugabe from power. But otherwise, they have no real ideology, they have no real political trajectory.”

Highfield National Assembly representative (Zanu-PF) Cde Psychology Maziwisa added: “Whatever coalition they come up with will be a coalition of failed politicians who lack the necessary wherewithal to dislodge a formidable party like Zanu-PF.

“Zimbabwe needs a visionary and skilful leader — not a gang of third grade politicians who are in politics just for the sake of it.”

Political analyst Mr Godwine Mureriwa said the planned coalition was nothing new and was a repeat of the failed 2008 “Bhora Musango” machinations.

“What should be understood is that the planned coalition is not a homegrown project, but an initiative being plotted by the West as part of its regime change agenda.

“It is a prerequisite to getting access to Western funding, because the West has cut funds to Tsvangirai after realising that he is not a bankable politically. It is, therefore, just a repeat of the Mavambo project, which was also used to front Bhora Musango.

“The people are not stupid. They are aware of what the West is trying to do. Besides, Bhora Musango has been defeated before, so it will be defeated again.”

Zanu-PF has said it is not bothered by Dr Mujuru, as the revolutionary party is preoccupied with turning economic matters.