Tendai Biti, the People's Democratic Party leader, and Welshman Ncube, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, are likely to emerge as the vice-presidents of the MDC-T in a few weeks.
But should the behind-the-scenes talks for a reunion of the parties come to fruition, it could also result in vicious internal power struggles in the MDC-T, led by Nelson Chamisa.
The possibility of a reunion of the MDC-T with its splinter parties could boost the party's standing against Zanu-PF ahead of elections set for July, but has also stoked tensions among party bigwigs in the MDC-T unhappy over the return of Biti and Ncube to occupy senior positions. Elias Mudzuri is the MDC-T vice-president, but his position as Chamisa's deputy looks uncertain should the two splinter parties rejoin the MDC-T.The first split of the MDC-T under its late founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, was in 2005 and was led by Ncube over disagreement about participation in senatorial elections. Its next split, in 2014, was led by Biti, as tensions flared up over the party's loss in the 2013 elections.
Several party insiders from the PDP and MDC this week confirmed that talks were under way to find "common ground" on the reunion of the splinter parties as one large opposition party. The PDP and MDC are all part of the MDC Alliance of about six opposition parties which have come together under Chamisa and are to contest the elections. Biti and Ncube have taken a front-row seat at campaign rallies of the alliance, always seated next to Chamisa.
Biti and Ncube did not respond to requests for comment.
REJOINING THE MDC-T
"We have held several meetings and agreed that the best way is to rejoin the bigger tent," a PDP insider said this week. "We are to meet with our elders so as to inform them of this move. These are the questions being asked every time we go for the rallies."
MDC insiders who attended a national council meeting last Saturday said the issue of rejoining the MDC-T had been officially tabled by Ncube.
"He also outlined that this arrangement was first proposed by Tsvangirai in a meeting with Chamisa and himself on January 6," said one MDC insider.
The MDC's national council was also informed by Ncube that should the plan to rejoin the MDC-T succeed, the newly constituted MDC would have to appoint new interim leaders until the next congress, scheduled for 2019. In February, Chamisa was appointed by the party's national council as the interim party leader for 12 months.MDC spokesman Kurauone Chihwayi said he could not comment on the party rejoining the MDC-T and if there was anything to say, the party "would issue a statement".
Talks to rejoin the MDC-T have stoked tensions, as senior officials are wary of Biti and Ncube returning to the fold.
"Since his ascendency to the throne, Chamisa has always sought advice from Biti, and whatever the former secretary-general says is done," said a senior MDC-T official who wanted to remain anonymous. "Biti has accompanied Chamisa on all international trips where the two are pushing to form a new government if the alliance wins in the forthcoming general elections."
But MDC-T spokeswoman Thabitha Khumalo said there was no conversation under way in the MDC-T to allow splinter parties to rejoin."To my knowledge we have not debated the issue, but as per our 2014 congress resolution we are a big tent and everybody that is like-minded is welcome. The appointment of the vice-presidents as per the party's constitution lies squarely in the president's office and is subject to endorsement by the national council," she said.
PDP spokesman Jacob Mafume said the party would have to make a decision through its structures before it rejoined the MDC.
Political analyst Eldred Masunungure said that should the MDC-T reunite with its splinter groups, it would be to Biti and Ncube's advantage because they knew they did not have support while outside the MDC-T.
"This will also trigger vicious internal power struggles, because both Biti and Ncube were bigwigs before leaving the MDC. It has to be properly managed [their return] because it may also cause a protest vote in the general elections."..