Mlondolozi Ndlovu

The Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) leader Elton Mangoma has made a u turn on his previous position that as a party they ‘would not’ unite with the Zanu PF offshoot, People First saying he will join hands with them if they ‘surely want Mugabe to go’.

With calls for a coalition gathering momentum, RDZ,  last week donated towards the MDC- T’s much publicized demonstration and released a joint press statement with their erstwhile comrades in the opposition movement.

Mangoma’s party seems to have somersaulted concerning Joice Mujuru’s party which they have previous lambasted for being full of ‘people who were part of the problems’ currently facing Zimbabwe.

The RDZ has in the past downplayed any possibilities of them uniting with the expelled former Vice President.

Speaking to Radio VOP on the sidelines of a press event organised by his party Mangoma noted that his party had no problem with the Zanu offshoot as long as they were ready to remove Mugabe.

“As RDZ our position is that we see People First as Zanu PF number two, they are not different from Zanu” said the RDZ president who was flanked by the Japanese Ambassador Yoshinobu Hiraishi.

“For us to think that we work with them it’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

On the Mujuru outfit Mangoma said they was need for sincerity on the party which consists of expelled of former senior Zanu PF so as to remove Zanu PF.

“On People First we may agree with them if we see that they surely sincere on calls for Zanu PF to go, only under those conditions can we work with them, only when they commit on that they want Mugabe to go, only on that can we work together but not in a coalition,” he said

The former Energy Minister’s party noted that they will work with those with the same ‘ideals’ as them.

“As RDZ we have always said that we will work with those who have the same ideals as us and who give importance to what we value,” he said.

Commenting on the joint Independence Day press statement released by the opposition parties, Mangoma said more was needed in terms of unity if the opposition parties were to remove Mugabe.

“We managed to see that we work together to release a joint press statement, we will see if we can work together in doing more than just a press statement,” he said.

He added that his party will work with those with same values with them.

“All people with the same ideals and principles as us we are ready to work with them,” he added.