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(HERALD) It’s dog eat dog at MDC-T congress

It’s dog eat dog at MDC-T congress
Saturday, 23 April 2011 22:57 Top Stories
By Tafadzwa Chiremba

THERE are fears that violence could flare up again at the forthcoming MDC-T congress to be held in Bulawayo this week as almost all of the party’s top posts are up for grabs.

The party confirmed yesterday that all the top posts, except that of its presidency, would be contested, paving way for serious factional clashes, the latest of which saw 12 party youths being arrested on violence charges in Bulawayo last Friday. The party, however, yesterday said it had beefed up security ahead of the congress.

MDC-T spokesman Mr Nelson Chamisa said the violence that rocked the party in recent weeks was being perpetrated by those who were afraid of losing their positions.
“We have beefed up security ahead of the congress. Those people who thought they were going to lose were causing the violence,” he said.
Mr Chamisa said the executive council received nominations from the party’s 12 provinces on Good Friday.

He said incumbent Ms Thokozani Khupe and Mr Norman Mabhena would vie for the vice-presidency.
National chairperson Mr Lovemore Moyo, who is also House of Assembly Speaker, was nominated for the same post and will battle it out with Ms Lucia Matibenga.
Ms Matibenga was also nominated for the national deputy chair’s post along with Mr Morgan Komichi, Blessing Chebundo and Alexio Musundire.
Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro is challenging secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti while Mr Tapiwa Mashakada, Gift Chimanikire, Moyo, Bekithemba Mpofu and Ms Paurina Mpariwa will each battle to be the deputy.

Mr Elton Mangoma, Mrs Sekai Holland and self-exiled treasurer-general Roy Bennett will also scramble to become the party’s finance chief.
Mr Chamisa said some provinces were also supporting Mr Mangoma, Mrs Holland, Mr Biti and Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo to become the deputy treasurer.
Mr Chamisa himself is eyeing the post of organising secretary which is presently held by Engineer Elias Mudzuri.
Mr Abednigo Bhebhe, Mr Thamsanqa Ma-hlangu, Eng Mudzuri and Mr Dennis Murira were nominated for the deputy organising secretary’s post. Mr Tongai Matutu and Douglas Mwonzora will contest in the race for the information and publicity secretary’s position.

The provinces also nominated Mrs Evelyn Masaiti, Ms Matibenga, Mrs Editor Matamisa and Mrs Theresa Makone to the powerful position of women’s assembly chairperson.
The party’s youth leader is expected to be selected from among Mr Solomon Madzore, Amos Chibaya and Promise Mukasi.

Sources within the party indicated that Ms Khupe was a step ahead in the race for the vice-presidency after being nominated by 10 provinces.
The sources also revealed that more provinces were supporting Mr Moyo while Mr Blessing Chebundo is believed to be the favourite for the deputy chairmanship.
Mr Biti is tipped to retain his post.

On the hand, Mr Mpofu, Mr Mashakada and Ms Mpariwa received nominations from an equal number of provinces for the post of deputy secretary-general.
Mr Bennett is also said to be the favourite in the battle for the treasurer-general’s post while Mr Chamisa is believed to have the backing of 10 provinces.
The information and publicity portfolio is likely to be a close call as both Mr Matutu and Mr Mwonzora enjoy the support of an equal number of provinces.
Mr Chamisa said candidates have been given up to tomorrow to choose only one post they will contest for.

Meanwhile, our Bulawayo bureau reports that the MDCT provincial elections in Bulawayo province were abandoned for the third time in a row on Friday after two rival camps belonging to the “elected” provincial chairman, Mr Gorden Moyo, and losing candidate Mr Matson Hlalo were involved in skirmishes that saw 12 people being arrested.
Scores of visibly drunk youths hurled stones and empty beer bottles at each other in front of their divided leadership.

Police had to be called in to quell the fierce fighting.

The violence erupted after a group of youths believed to be siding with Mr Hlalo, the Mzilikazi Senator, demanded the nullification of the election of the provincial chairperson and that delegates from Mpopoma constituency take the first ballot.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said 12 people were arrested in connection with the matter.

Contacted for comment, MDCT deputy national spokesperson Ms Thabitha Khumalo indicated that the party’s standing committee would deal with incidents of intra-party violence.

The committee will, thereafter, recommend the way forward to the MDCT executive.
“You saw what happened and heard what people said. I cannot comment more on this issue and its implications to our congress,” she said.
“This is an issue for the standing committee.
“However, I do not know when the committee will meet to discuss the issue.”

Ms Khumalo said her party was committed to holding its congress scheduled for next weekend despite the clashes.

The Mpopoma youths, who were said to have been backing Mr Hlalo, besieged the entrance to the party offices, where the elections were supposed to take place and sang obscenities, denouncing the polls.

They vowed the elections to choose the remaining provincial executive members would not take place if their demands were not met.

Mpopoma district was barred from participating in the elections as, according to party officials, “its structures were not in order”.

Trouble started when the election officer, Mr Fidelis Mhashu, with the assistance of Mr Moyo, announced that the polls were due to start.

A group of youths aligned to Mr Hlalo then hurled insults at Mr Moyo, accusing him of sponsoring violence.

“We don’t want to be given orders by newcomers.

“We cannot be led by the newcomers.
“We are tired of leaders imposed on us. What is special about you, Gorden?

“We don’t recognise you,” shouted the youths.

Addressing delegates in the presence of police details, Mr Moyo said the polls could not take place owing to the violence.

“People of Bulawayo, it is very sad once again that we cannot continue with our elections because of violence,” he said.

“Thank you for your support and as I am speaking, I am still the chairman of Bulawayo province.

“We want to thank the police for coming.’’-The Sunday Mail

Labels: CADRES, MDC, MDC VIOLENCE, NELSON CHAMISA

posted by MrK @ 12:33 PM