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MDC Alliance Treasurer-General David Coltart says that the party is seeking to ramp up subscription and membership fees to make the party financially independent.

Coltart said this in an interview with online Zimbabwe Voice following the launch of the party’s brand new website with the domain name  mdcallianceparty.org.

Coltart said the annual subscription fees being already paid on the website will be put to good, accountable use while the personal data of supporters was safe from hackers and intruders.

“We have secured the website and hosted it outside the country. The same applies to where monies will be deposited.

“Everything is in the party name – MDC Alliance, and we assure our valued supporters and well wishers that their details and private information which they will leave on the website is safe and secure,” said Senator Coltart.

Senator Coltart said the membership drive was targeted at making the MDC Alliance a 1 million membership party, the goal being to recruit a million paid up members by December 2020.

“As we look ahead to the elections in 2023 we have three financial goals as a party. Firstly, to make the MDC Alliance a million member party. In 2018 our President Nelson Chamisa won 2,6 million votes in the presidential elections.

“We have a goal to get at least one million of those who voted as signed up and paid up members. By becoming a member, you are demonstrating your support and helping us to bring change and build a brighter future for Zimbabwe.

“We would like to encourage you to sign up as members Now. Then please tell your friends and family in Zimbabwe and across the world to sign up and be part of the change! Be part of the Million Member MDC-A and play your part in bringing change in Zimbabwe.

“We are asking you to sign up now for the whole year up to 31st December 2020. Once your application and payment are received and verified you will receive your MDC-A Party Card.”

He said he anticipated an large number of supporters trying to log in, which could overwhelm staff and system resources, but hoped for patience as all queries will be addressed.

“Please bear with us as there will be a delay in issuing of membership cards because of the current challenges we are facing.”

Coltart also said that members must be fully signed up and paid up to be able to stand for or vote for party offices.

However, the MDC Alliance constitution is not on the website.

Coltart told the Zimbabwe Voice that the document was being updated and will soon be uploaded.

In seeking to ramp up subscription and membership fees, Coltart said the goal was to make the MDC Alliance financially independent.

“Our goal is to make the party less reliant on government. Let us as Zimbabweans support the change we want to see, not only with our words but with our finances.

“We can do this through our membership subscriptions and donations from the citizens of our country. Every little bit counts! If each of us who voted in 2018 gave just $1 that would be $2,6 million that would go a long way to making the party financially independent!” Coltart explained.

Coltart admitted that in the past, there might have been issues of lack of transparency in handling party finances, but assured that that was in the past as the MDC Alliance is now set to be run like a professional business.

“The goal is to run the MDC Alliance as a business and to establish the highest standards of accountability and transparency.

“To ensure this goal, we have implemented a strict banking culture and will have an annual, independent audit and these audited accounts will be made available to members,” he said.

More: Zimbabwe Voice