Massive membership drive for the MDC in the UK
By Tichaona Sibanda
8 December 2006

The MDC-UK province under the leadership of former trade unionist Ephraim Tapa, now boasts of having over thirty branches throughout the United Kingdom.

The new executive committee elected into office three months ago during a congress held in Oxford, promised to prioritise the recruitment of new members and the formation of new branches.

Matthew Nyashanu, Information and Publicity secretary for the MDC-UK, said two more branches would be formed this weekend in Cambridge and Peterborough. He said such a strong diaspora base will help them lobby for the rights of all Zimbabweans living abroad to exercise their right to vote.

‘We would want to re-look at the initiative taken by the diaspora vote action group that advocated for Zimbabweans to have a say on what happens in their country,’ Nyashanu said.

It is believed the MDC-UK has over 3000 card carrying members despite statistics from the Home Office suggesting that 20 000 Zimbabweans applied for asylum in the UK on an MDC ticket.

Of the 20 000, only about 7000 were granted refugee status. 13 000 still have their cases pending with the Home Office. During a consultative meeting of branch chairmen held in Leicester recently, delegates heard from executive member Jaison Matewu from Portsmouth that out of the original figure of 20 000 only 3000 were active members of the party. From those whose cases are still pending, only about 1500 activists are taking part in MDC activities.

There were suggestions from the floor during the meeting that most of those who applied claiming to be MDC members fleeing persecution could have lied to the Home Office. Concern was also raised that people use the MDC name when making applications to the Home Office but disappear as soon as they are granted refugee status.

‘This was a big issue during the meeting. Members wanted to know what has happened to all those members who came into this country claiming to be MDC. I can’t say much now because the issue is being looked into by the executive, Nyashanu said.