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(ZIMBABWE GUARDIAN) MDC-T shaken by Malema visit

MDC-T shaken by Malema visit
By: Floyd Nkomo
Posted: Thursday, April 1, 2010 4:19 am

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party says it will give firebrand ANC Youth President Julius Malema a resounding welcome when he arrives in Harare on Friday for solidarity meetings with his Zimbabwe counterparts.

But the rival Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is running scared and has chosen to downplay Malema's visit because they view it as a threat to their party.

Malema, who will lead an eight-member delegation, said he was visiting Zimbabwe to defend the gains of the liberation on the continent.

He told Independent Newspapers on Monday he did not intend to meet the MDC because they had nothing in common with the ANC.

He expressed concern with what he called efforts to replace liberation movements with puppets governments - who exploit the mineral wealth of Africa.

Yesterday the MDC refused to comment officially on the Malema visit for fear of compromising its relations with the ANC.

A MDC-T official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted by a South African newspaper as saying: "Malema's visit means nothing to the MDC because we are aware that some Zanu-PF people want to use the ANC clout to prop ... the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act.

Zanu-PF deputy secretary for external affairs, Tongai Kasukuwere, said Malema was more that welcome to visit Zimbabwe and said his visit would help strengthen relations between his party and the ANC.

"Malema's visit gives us a platform to share ideas on development in Africa and the best way to fight those who want to reverse the gains of independence.

"Zanu-PF and (the) ANC have a lot in common and that is why he is visiting us," Kasukuwere said.

"The point is that Malema is coming as the leader of the ANC youth wing and not as a GPA negotiator," he said, referring to the Global Political Agreement which underpins the inclusive Government.

ZImbabwe's empowerment group, Affirmative Action Group (AAG), will host a lavish dinner for Malema at a five star hotel in Harare, among other events.

Malema is expected to address indigenous businessmen on his vision on nationalism.

He will also meet President Mugabe and visit the Zanu-PF headquarters.

Labels: JULIUS MALEMA, MDC, TONGAI KASUKUWERE, ZANU-PF

posted by MrK @ 4:20 PM