Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) MDC-T rebels form own election coalition
11/07/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

DISGRUNTLED MDC-T officials who were defeated in party primaries but are still contesting this month’s elections have teamed up to form the Independent Candidates Coalition in a bid to pool campaign resources.

The group’s spokesperson and outgoing Magwegwe MP Felix Mafa Sibanda said the decision to run as independents was necessitated by dirty internal politics within the MDC-T as well as gross irregularities in the conduct of the primary elections.

The group is chaired by Aaron Chinhara who is bidding to represent Redcliff Constituency while Tedius Chimombe is the organising secretary.

Sibanda said although running as independent candidates they will however, urge supporters to vote for MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Formation of the group comes after the MDC-T won a court order barring the "rebels" from using the party's symbol and Tsvangirai’s picture in their campaigns.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maphios Cheda: "The respondents are with immediate effect interdicted from using, displaying or distributing fliers or any other such election campaign material bearing Tsvangirai's face or any such registered election symbol for purposes of canvassing for respondents or any other person's vote who is not authorised by the party.

“The (rebels) have 14 days to oppose the order which also compels them to surrender all material and symbol they were using belonging to the party.

In an application filed by Bulawayo province chairman, Gorden Moyo, the MDC-T argued that it would suffer irreparable harm if the rebels are allowed to benefit from the use of its president's face to further their interests.

Moyo said the rebels were seeking to take advantage of Tsvangirai's popularity thereby prejudicing the party and confusing its supporters ahead of elections scheduled for the end of the month.

Labels: AARON CHINHARA, FELIX MAFA SIBANDA, MDC

posted by MrK @ 2:57 PM