MDC 'perched on shifting sand'

A little more than a decade ago, Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party stepped onto Zimbabwe's political stage.

The emergence of a new political party, with roots in workers and civic society organisations, was greeted by jubilation and excitement from voters.

Expectations were high that the MDC would unseat President Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF, which had increasingly slipped into an authoritarian style of rule, with arbitrary arrests and political intimidation on the rise. But 13 years later, Mugabe is still in power - albeit much older, at 88.

Mugabe's continued grip on power appears to be the only thing that has not changed since the MDC's formation.

At his birthday celebrations in Mutare last weekend a defiant Mugabe vowed not to step down and said: "I came from the people and the people in their wisdom, our members of the party, will certainly select someone once I say I am retiring, but not yet".

And as a third election face-off against Zanu-PF beckons for the MDC - which would end the three year-old unity government - the MDC increasingly appears to be perched on shifting sand.

A lot of changes have taken place in the MDC since the days of its dazzling entry into Zimbabwe's politics in 1999.

The changes have now left some in political circles convinced that "Morgan Tsvangirai's moment has already passed", according to a diplomat who requested anonymity.

Listed under its major turning point is the infamous MDC split in 2005, which greatly weakened it and allowed the state spy unit, the Central Intelligence Organisation, to infiltrate its structures.

Internal factionalism and violence as highlighted by the contentious rise of Gorden Moyo to the control of the Bulawayo provincial chairmanship last year, and corruption allegations in urban councils, have dented the MDC's credibility.

Months before elections, the MDC has yet to articulate its election manifesto, giving rise to speculation among observers that besides removing Mugabe from power, the party may genuinely be bankrupt of any ideas on how to move the country forward from its political and economic stalemate.

In contrast, Zanu-PF has underpinned indigenisation and empowerment as its central election plank, and is going all out to boost its charm offensive among voters.