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Problem Masau Herald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe National Students Association has castigated MDC-T for interfering in its internal processes and implored the party to do some soul searching after its heavy loss to Zanu-PF in the July 31 harmonised elections. Addressing a press conference in Harare yesterday, Zinasu president Pride Mukono said the MDC-T had failed in national politics and was now seeking relevance in student politics.
He singled out the party’s national organising secretary Mr Nelson Chamisa, youth secretary Mr Promise Mkwananzi and a staffer Mr Dennis Murira based at the party’s headquarters.

“These people have failed to dislodge Zanu-PF and are calling us all sorts of names. They now say we are Zanu-PF and accuse us of supporting Lovemore Madhuku’s NCA. Chamisa wants to impose leaders in our union; he is sponsoring factions at our institution. Mkwananzi has remained entrenched in student politics while he purports to be a national leader,” he said.

The Zinasu president said the MDC-T failed students when it was in the inclusive Government and urged Finance Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa to consider the plight of students when he announces the national budget.

“The MDC-T failed to deliver when they were in Government. They went on a honeymoon. They should face the reality that Zanu-PF won the elections. The Finance Minister should consider the plight of students when he announces the budget,” he said.

Zinasu, a traditional ally of the MDC-T said the party’s interference forced the union to postpone its congress to November 22. Contacted for comment MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora refuted the claims saying no senior official from his party is interested in positions in the union.

“We have never interfered in the smooth running of Zinasu. Nobody is interested in student politics; we are a national party with a vision for the nation. Maybe Mr Mukono singled out our organising secretary because he is a student at the University of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mr Chamisa said the union had its own problems and wanted to use him as a scapegoat.

“I am one of the founding members of Zinasu and it is my wish to see it strong. If I had the opportunity, I would love to strengthen it and not weaken it. If a donkey kicks you and you kick it back, people will mistake you for a donkey. I refuse to be a donkey, so I will not comment on Mukono’s utterances,” he said.