Mixed reactions to Mutambara’s planned elevation to lead MDC

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 February 2006

There have been mixed reactions in Bulawayo to news that former University of Zimbabwe student leader, Arthur Mutambara is likely to be elected the new President of the pro-senate faction of the MDC.

According to our Bulawayo correspondent Themba Nkosi, the decision by the faction led by Welshman Ncube to invite Mutambara to their party could backfire as most people are opposed to that move.

Nkosi said people in the region, where the Ncube faction draws most of its support, have questioned the decision to bring back Mutambara, who has not been an active member of the party since its formation in 1999.

“People are are saying they feel they are being taken for a ride by the opposition party because that will mean that both factions would be led by shonas. This is the same set up which saw them ditching Zanu (PF) for the opposition,” said Nkosi.

Mutambara, who led crippling student demonstrations against the government in 1999, has been in exile the last decade, mostly in the United States where he attained a doctorate in Robotics.

Although an analyst pointed out that the articulate scientist could easily climb any political ladder, his current predicament was his lack of grassroots support.