THE MDC president Welshman Ncube has predicted tension and chaos at the two-day Second All-Stakeholders’ Conference which starts tomorrow citing the high polarisation among the delegates from different political parties.Report Khanyile Mlotshwa
Addressing journalists at his party’s Bulawayo provincial headquarters on Friday, Ncube said the principals must discourage their supporters from engaging in rowdy behaviour to avoid chaos. “Clearly, the environment is polarised,” he said.
“There are fundamental differences in terms of approach by the three political parties. Clearly, there will be tension at the stakeholders’ conference, no doubt about that.”
There was chaos during the First All-Stakeholders’ Conference in 2009, after Zanu PF supporters disturbed the proceedings.
The conference was characterised by intense bickering between Zanu PF and the two MDCs over the Copac draft constitution and there are fears this would be repeated at tomorrow’s indaba.
Ncube said it was important for principals to talk to their supporters about the need for tolerance and respect for other delegates’ views during the opening of the meeting.
“It will be important for them to ask their members to respect and tolerate the views of other people,” he said. “That is why we have the first section.”
However, Copac co-chairpersons Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) and Paul Mangwana assu- red the nation that measures had been taken to secure the conference, including compelling de-legates to sign a code of conduct.
