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Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
INFORMATION, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo yesterday described as “electoral cowardice” and “political hypocrisy” a decision by MDC-T to snub by-elections for 14 constituencies left vacant by expelled MDC Renewal MPs.

The 14 are part of the 21 MPs chucked out of Parliament after defecting from MDC-T to form the MDC Renewal. The party has reportedly already filled in the seven slots under the proportional representation format and women’s quota.

MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu, told private media that the party’s standing committee had met and “unanimously” agreed to stick to a resolution made at last year’s congress that they will not take part in by-elections.

“This is evidence of electoral cowardice and political hypocrisy on a grand scale,” posted Prof Moyo on micro blogging site Twitter.

Prof Moyo, who further described the move as, “breathtaking cluelessness,” dismissed claims by the MDC-T that electoral field was not level arguing; “only participation levels the field. Not self-indulgent rhetoric whose bombastic bravado belies cowardice and hypocrisy.”

The Zanu-PF Politburo member said the people deserve the participation of the MDC-T in a constitutional democracy.

Political analysts also weighed in saying the Morgan Tsvangirai-led party was showing confusion in their selective approach to the matter choosing not to contest in the by-elections but deploying officials under proportional representation.

Political analyst Lawton Hikwa said if the MDC-T had valid reasons they would not be selective as to boycott the by-elections but at the same time deploying proportional representation MPs.

He said the MDC-T might want to seem consistent with their resolution reached at their congress last year not to take part in by-elections but the selective approach in this particular matter betrays their confusion.

“If it was a matter of principle, they should have boycotted everything,” said Hikwa.

He said while it was their democratic right to decide not to contest, the MDC-T was presenting an image of a confused party.

Another analyst Nhamo Mhiripiri echoed Hikwa’s sentiments that the party might want to be viewed as consistent in their resolutions made at their congress.

He however said the matters raised by the party for non participation could have been solved when the MDC-T was still part of the unity government if they were serious.

Butholezwe Nyathi, another analyst said MDC-T was taking the easy way out by appointing MPs under the proportional representation as it doesn’t involve any contest.

“The by-election on the other hand means there is possibility of defeat. There is fatigue among members and I think the MDC-T fears that defeat would further frustrate their already disenfranchised supporters,” he said.

Nyathi said it would be interesting whether the MDC-T would maintain a similar stance come the 2018 harmonised elections.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Bulawayo province yesterday said it was ready to win back constituencies lost to the MDC in successive elections since the party’s formation in 1999.

The seats that fell vacant in Bulawayo are Lobengula formerly held by Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Pumula (Albert Mhlanga), Luveve (Reggie Moyo), Mpopoma (Bekithemba Nyathi) and Makokoba (Gorden Moyo).

Bulawayo was the only province where MDC-T swept all constituencies during the 2013 harmonised elections.

Zanu-PF acting provincial chairperson Cde Christopher Dube said the party was confident that it would sweep all the seats.

“We are ready for the by-elections. They come at a time we are doing our restructuring exercise and we are very strong,” said Cde Dube.

“The people have also seen that these opposition people cannot be trusted because they wake up in one party and the next day they are in another showing that they only care about positions and not championing the aspirations of the people.”

Cde Dube said there were members who have already indicated interest in the five constituencies but was not at liberty to reveal their identities.

“What we will do is that when more than one candidate expresses interest in one constituency, we will hold primary elections. It’s still premature for me to reveal their names but a number of comrades have indicated interest in contesting. I was even talking to two this afternoon,” said Cde Dube.

Political analyst, Qhubani Moyo said the elections come at an opportune time when the party was conducting its restructuring exercise.

He said it was possible for Zanu-PF Bulawayo Province to win back the seats as the people have seen that there was nothing the MDC-T or MDC Renewal was offering to develop the province.

“The people of Bulawayo know that they can’t continue to be an island of resistance and continue losing out from being part of a big family,” said Moyo.