Battle for MDC-T posts hots up

It also emerged last week that some of the party’s councillors have embarked on an aggressive campaign to topple sitting MPs in Harare.
Authoritative sources last week described the MDC-T as a “house on fire” as the race for top posts reached fever pitch ahead of the April 30 congress.

Party spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa tacitly acknowledged that key posts were at stake. He, however, down-played the internal squabbles.
“There is no such thing as internal squabbling. We have also made it clear that there is no need for anyone in the party to start campaigning to be an MP because the sitting MPs still have three years to go,” he said.
“Our party is democratic and anyone is free to contest for any post as long as proper procedures are followed.” However, information gathered last week indicates that none of the top 10 members are guaranteed of retaining their posts because of the sharp divisions in the party.

The list comprises Mr Morgan Tsvangirai (party leader); his deputy Ms Thokozani Khupe; Mr Lovemore Moyo (chairman); Mr Tendai Biti (secretary-general); Mr Tapiwa Mashakada (deputy secretary-general); Roy Bennett (treasurer); Mr Elton Mangoma (deputy treasurer); Engineer Elias Mudzuri (organising secretary); Mr Morgan Komichi (deputy organising secretary) and Mr Nelson Chamisa (secretary for information).

Insiders said Mr Moyo looked set to lose his post.
“There is a general feeling in the party that Moyo does not deserve the post of chairman,” said a source.
“As you might remember, he got into that position almost by default following the death of our former chair, Isaac Matongo.
“Most people view Moyo as too quiet and they want him to be replaced by a more vibrant figure from Matabeleland.”

The sources said some party members were rooting for Norman Mabhena to take over the chairmanship. Other names that have been thrown around include Ms Lucia Matibenga, whose elevation to the post would, sources say, pacify members in Masvingo, which was represented by the late Mr Matongo.

Another source from the party said knives have also been drawn against Ms Khupe with Home Affairs co-Minister Theresa Makone and Water Resources Development and Management Minister Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo expected to challenge her.
Bennett is almost certain to lose his post of treasurer while Mangoma is also said to be on his way out. “Mangoma’s biggest crime is that he seemed to be too compromising because he made concessions that went against the grain of the party,” said an insider.

“There is a powerful clique which believes the party should go back to its roots and hoist former trade unionists to top positions and unfortunately Mangoma is not a former trade unionist.”
It is also understood that Mr Makone, who opted not to contest for the post of secretary-general at the party’s last congress, has shown the clearest interest for the post. Mr Chamisa is said to be eyeing Eng Mudzuri’s post with Senator Obert Gutu expected to take over from him.
Daggers have also been drawn against Glen Norah House of Assembly Member Mr Gift Dzirutwe, who is facing competition from Glen Norah Ward 27 Councillor Mr Herbert Gomba, who wants to take over from him.

Mr Gomba was last week forced to deny reports that he has been using food and promising jobs to lure voters. The councillor was spotted in the area distributing sugar, beans, cooking oil and rice.
A few weeks ago, Mr Biti warned that vote buyers would be expelled from the party.-The Sunday Mail

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