Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) leader and former Energy Minister Elton Mangoma has retired from active politics. Announcing his retirement, Mangoma said that he had played his part and urged other people to consider taking a back seat when they have contributed to the country’s politics. Mangoma who was a losing presidential candidate in the July 30 elections said that he is retiring with no regrets as he had learned and experienced a lot from his time in politics. Speaking to New Zimbabwe, Mangoma said,
<blockquote>I have now quit active politics and am now taking a back seat as I believe I have done my part in the last two decades. Retiring from active politics is something that has been missing in the Zimbabweans politics. There comes a time when you must say I have done my part in terms of political participation and that you need to be taking a back seat and start to think of the nation at large and that is the essentially the step I have taken.
…I don’t have any regrets at all. I have had many lessons and the lessons I have had, the experiences I have had, have shown that the majority of our leaders do it for themselves and not for people. And therefore, I think we want to have a culture where when people who take public office to say that I am doing it for the benefit of the people and not for their own benefit.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/ex-energy-minister-mangoma-quits-active-politics-says-i-have-done-my-part/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">New Zimbabwe</a>

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Elton Mangoma Retires From Active Politics

Opposition political parties have accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of seeking to instil fear in the electorate ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.  This follows reports that Mnangagwa will be meeting with National Youth Service graduates, popularly referred to as Green Bombers. The Green Bombers have in the past been accused of perpetrating violence to ensure Zanu-PF’s victory in previous elections.
MDC Alliance spokesperson Welshman Ncube said,
<blockquote>
There is always a reason to be fearful where Zanu PF begins to meet with institutions or groups that have been used in the past for coercion and intimidation…If anything, the President must have moved to dismantle that whole group. These youths were used as Zanu PF stormtroopers and activating them a week before elections should be a cause for concern.</blockquote>
Deputy president of the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T, Obert Gutu said,
<blockquote>It’s not a coincidence that Mnangagwa is meeting this terror group on the eve of an election. It is meant to invoke sordid memories of the Green Bombers’ activities, especially in 2008. Mnangagwa’s meeting with this Zanu PF hit squad is meant to ignite fear and remind the populace of its existence.</blockquote>
Coalition of Democrats (Code) presidential candidate, Elton Mangoma added,
<blockquote>Obviously, there is cause for alarm if perpetrators of violence get this kind of treatment from the top. We had asked for peace pledges from the army, police, intelligence and the militia. Without that, they are p aying a double game.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/07/chamisa-ed-in-panic-mode/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

Opposition Alarmed As Mnangagwa Meets With Green Bombers, Say He Should Disband Them

Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) leader and Coalition of Democrats (Code) presidential candidate, Elton Mangoma, has revealed that talks between his organisation and the MDC Alliance have broken down. Code decided not to join the coalition saying that they wanted a chance to challenge Nelson Chamisa for the presidency. In an interview with New Zimbabwe, Mangoma said,
<blockquote>
We have been talking with the MDC Alliance and it became patently clear that all they wanted was an endorsement of Nelson Chamisa…We just couldn’t reconcile it because they wanted us to contest each other at the parliamentary level and council level not at the presidential level. Yet at these levels, there is no runoff systems and yet there is no second chance whereas with the president there is clearly a second chance so we just couldn’t agree.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mdc-alliance-code-talks-collapse-after-chamisa-rendered-unchallengeable-reveals-mangoma/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">New Zimbabwe</a>

Mangoma's CODE Refuses To Join MDC Alliance After Learning That He Cannot Challenge Chamisa To Lead Coalition

In an interview with NewsDay, Coalition of Democrats (Code) presidential candidate, Elton Mangoma, opened up on his fallout with the late MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, saying they differed on matters of principle.
Mangoma said he remained in touch with Tsvangirai despite leaving MDC-T and even visited the former Prime Minister in hospital. Said Mangoma:
<blockquote>I disagreed with Tsvangirai but it was not personal. It was a disagreement on principle, and I never hated Tsvangirai. In fact, I learnt a lot from this man. When he was sick, I actually visited him and when he passed on I went to his funeral. His death was a very sad loss for Zimbabweans. I feel the loss like everyone else. I certainly disagreed with him, but Tsvangirai was like my brother. What I said then — that he was not ‘democratic’ does not change, I meant what I said. But, I also think that Tsvangirai was a good person and I learnt a lot from him.</blockquote>
Mangoma was MDC-T treasurer-general when he quit the opposition party in 2014 after he wrote a letter to Tsvangirai calling on him to step down and allow for leadership renewal, following the party’s defeat to Zanu PF in the 2013 elections.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/03/mangoma-opens-up-on-tsvangirai-tiff/">NewsDay</a>

Elton Mangoma Speaks On Fallout With Tsvangirai

Former cabinet minister and Coalition of Democrats (CODE) President Elton Mangoma has said that President Emmerson Mnangagwa implemented the security sector reforms that the opposition has been calling for. Mangoma’s sentiments echo those of Giles Mutsakwa, the MDC-T secretary for security who shared the same sentiments, less than two weeks back. Mangoma claimed that by moving the former Service chiefs, Mnangagwa had carried out the reforms.
The redeployments are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Former commander of the Defence Forces (CDF) General (Retired) Constantino Chiwenga was named Vice President of Zimbabwe and Zanu-PF.</li>
<li>Former Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Chief Marshal (Retired) Perrance Shiri was named Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Resettlement.</li>
<li>The spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces during the military takeover, Lieutenant-General (Retired) Sibusiso Moyo was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.</li>
<li>Lieutenant-General (Retired) Engelbert Rugeje was named the Zanu-PF Secretary for the Commissariat, replacing former Minister of Local Government Saviour Kasukuwere.</li>
<li>Long-serving Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Augustine Chihuri was also pushed into retirement and was replaced by Deputy Commissioner Godwin Matanga, in the interim.</li>
</ul>
Speaking to New Zimbabwe, Mangoma said:
<blockquote>The first thing that the new ZDF boss, Valerio Sibanda, did was to call his soldiers back to the barracks and announce the end of Operation Restore Legacy.
…This shows that Sibanda is a professional soldier whose track record has not been tarnished by being involved in partisan politics and we hope he will not change to serve the interests of Zanu PF like his predecessor Chiwenga.
Who will forget Chihuri’s public announcement that he supports Mugabe and Zanu PF and how he dealt with cases involving opposition supporters in favour of ruling party supporters who were perpetrators of violence?”
The CIO had become Mugabe’s security instead of the State security; you could not even trust your shadow but now I guess they know their full duties.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-46121-Coup+reformed+CIO,+Army,+ZRP+Mangoma/news.aspx">New Zimbabwe</a>

Mnangagwa’s New Dispensation Brought Security Sector Reforms Says Mangoma

Coalition of Democrats (Code) Presidential aspirant and  Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) leader, Elton Mangoma has criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa for celebrating former President Robert Mugabe’s legacy by declaring his birthday 21 February a public holiday.
Mangoma endorsed the military intervention but said that no change has come yet since Mnangagwa is celebrating Mugabe’s tyranny. Said Mangoma:
<blockquote>As far as we are concerned, it was not a coup because if it was a coup, the army would have been there themselves and would have thrown away the Constitution. But what they have simply done is that they have become involved the Zanu PF’s political dispute which we certainly do not condone at all but we celebrate that Mugabe has gone.
For now we have not seen anything that is different because the first thing he has done is to firmly put Mugabe’s legacy back on the map by declaring his birthday as a holiday. So to us, it’s the same system of celebrating tyranny, of insensitivity and not caring what people think. I think people poured onto the streets because they were unhappy with Mugabe. So you can’t make them happy by declaring a holiday the next day in the name of the same tyrant.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-40422-Mangoma+to+ED+Why+honour+tyrant+Bob/news.aspx">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Mangoma slams Mnangagwa for declaring Mugabe's birthday a public holiday

Former cabinet minister and aspiring presidential candidate for the 2018 elections, Elton Mangoma has attacked his political rivals for the presidency saying that they are as undemocratic as President Robert Mugabe. Mangoma who is representing the Coalition for Democrats (Code) slammed rival coalitions, the MDC Alliance led by Morgan Tsvangirai and the Joice Mujuru led People’s Rainbow Alliance (PRA) for having a one-centre of power approach. Speaking in Bulawayo on Friday, Mangoma said:
<blockquote>One thing that Code has got is a new narrative different from what the other parties have been selling. The first thing is about presidential powers. Zanu PF has got one centre point of power which decides who to hire and fire. This is the same model that PRA pursues. The MDC Alliance also has got one centre of power syndrome.
Essentially the difference between Code and PRA is mostly because their presidential candidate (Mujuru) did not want to go through a selection process. They had applied to join Code and requested for an assurance which they did not get so they then formed their own alliance</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-40116-Tsvangirai+govt+house+a+form+of+graft+rival/news.aspx">New Zimbabwe</a>

Mujuru and Tsvangirai are just as undemocratic as Mugabe: Mangoma

Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) acting spokesperson, Patrick Sagandira left Elton Mangoma and rejoined MDC-T over the weekend. 
Speaking to NewsDay, MDC-T Manicaland provincial spokesperson, Trevor Saruwaka confirmed Sagandira’s return. Said Saruwaka:
<blockquote>It’s a happy day for the MDC-T family, especially our former comrades, our president Morgan Tsvangirai has opened the door for everyone.</blockquote>
Sagandira said he would not mind being reduced to an ordinary MDC-T card-carrying member.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/09/mangoma-dead-man-walking-dumped-top-official/">NewsDay</a>

RDZ top official dumps Mangoma, rejoins MDC-T

MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu has dismissed claims by Renewal Democrats Zimbabwe (RDZ) president Elton Mangoma that MDC-T is using Zanu-PF’s template of “big man politics.” Gutu denied this saying that MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai was humble and unassuming. He went on to urge all the politicians who broke away from the MDC-T to come back to the party in order to fight Zanu-PF as a united front.
Said Gutu
<blockquote>If anything, President Morgan Tsvangirai is a very humble an unassuming politician. It does make good political sense for prodigal sons and daughters of the MDC to come back home.
United we are stronger and divided we are weaker.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201707270088.html">New Zimbabwe</a>

There are no "big man" in MDC-T, Tsvangirai is humble and unassuming: Obert Gutu

Former minister and leader of the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe, Elton Mangoma has accused the MDC-T of using the same “big man politics” as used by the ruling party Zanu-PF. According to Mangoma, no positive change will come from the MDC-T.
Said Mangoma:
<blockquote>MDC narrative of big man politics is the same as that of Zanu PF and therefore will not lead to positive change in the country.
Reduction of the presidential powers and building the nation including elimination of polarisation and put Zimbabwe on a growth and prosperous trajectory are some of our goals. We cannot go back to zero vision.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-38382-MDC-T,+Zanu+PF+politics+same,+says+Mangoma/news.aspx">New Zimbabwe</a>

No difference between Zanu-PF and MDC-T's "big man politics" says Mangoma

NewsDay reports that 14 opposition parties met in South Africa where they signed commitment agreements ahead of grand coalition talks.
Sources told NewsDay yesterday that Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T, Joice Mujuru’s NPP, the Welshman Ncube-led MDC and Jacob Ngarivhume’s Transform Zimbabwe did not sign the agreement although Ncube’s MDC sent representatives. The negotiations were initiated by the  In Transformative Initiative (ITI). Elton Mangoma and Marcellina Chikasha, the leader of the little-known African Democratic Party confirmed that they will be working together under the Mass Opposition Movement (MOM). Sources in South Africa also confirmed the deal to NewsDay, but did not give the finer details of the agreement.
PDP leader Tendai Biti, who was reportedly in talks with Tsvangirai, also signed the deal with the other 13 parties. Responding to NewsDay, MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said they would make their announcement on the MOM agreement once they were done with the negotiations.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/05/11/14-opposition-parties-sign-electoral-pact/">NewsDay</a>

14 opposition parties sign commitment agreements ahead of grand coalition negotiations

Former government minister and president of Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) Elton Mangoma has called for the 2018 Elections to take place without the voters roll. Mangoma said that the voters roll is compromised and in order to avoid rigging the opposition should demand the use of identity cards like what happened at the very first election in 1980.
Addressing delegates at a Coalition of Democrats (CODE) meeting, Mangoma said:
<blockquote>I have always had doubts that this process would bring about a credible voters roll. The latest reports have just now confirmed it ZEC cannot be trusted to produce a genuine voters roll.
I think what we should demand as opposition parties is that we dump the use of voters roll in 2018 and use national identity cards like what happened in 1980</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://openparlyzw.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/lets-dump-the-voters-roll-and-use-ids-like-in-1980-mangoma-ivote4peacezw/?iframe=true&amp;theme_preview=true">Open Parly</a>

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