Njabulo Ncube, Assistant Editor
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is reportedly under pressure to crack the whip against dissent within his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) party following fractious provincial elections mired by violence ahead of a crucial elective congress set for Bulawayo this month-end. Insiders claimed this week Tsvangirai, who together with his secretary general, Tendai Biti are not being challenged for their respective positions, was desperate to go to the MDC-T congress “with some semblance of unity” after disturbances rocked provincial elections in which a number of party supporters were injured.
Aggrieved party officials, especially those who lost in recent provincial elections, are said to be making a beeline to the premier’s residence in desperate attempts to have results of some of the elections over-turned.
But those close to him said the MDC-T leader has vowed to deal with dissent despite allegations of imposition of candidates in some provinces.
“He has categorically stated that those with genuine complaints after the provincial elections should follow laid down party procedures. Those that want to foment trouble will be dealt with, again through the relevant party structures,” said an insider.
There are fears that if the MDC-T leader failed to deal with dissent and violence before the congress in Bulawayo the party might implode, further dealing a blow to his presidential election campaign as the country is likely to hold national elections later this year.
“Although these incidents are minor, he is really under pressure to put our house in order before we go to Bulawayo, which itself is in turmoil,” said another insider.
Tsvangirai last week ordered a re-run of provincial polls in Masvingo after accusations of irregularities and violence rocked the elections.
Violence erupted at the MDC-T elections for the chairperson’s post of the Bulawayo Province on Saturday.
Sources said there was pandemonium soon after the results were announced. Gorden Moyo, the Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals, had narrowly beaten Mzilikazi Senator, Matson Hlalo for the post.
According to witnesses, youths from Hlalo’s camp were agitated by the celebrations that erupted from Moyo’s camp. Hlalo’s supporters alleged that irregularities mired the election process, demanding that the result be set aside.
Hlalo’s camp further claimed that some of his supporters were locked out of the venue, resulting in them failing to cast their votes.
Clint Chigumbura, a youth who was said to be supporting Hlalo, was hit by an iron bar. He reportedly sustained serious injuries.
Violence also rocked the voting processes in Harare, Chitungwiza, Bindura and other areas amid allegations of irregularities in the whole process.
At one time police had to be called to Harvest House, the headquarters of the MDC-T to monitor the situation as reports filtered that there was likelihood of violence.
Nelson Chamisa, the MDC-T spokesperson, however, said all was well ahead of the MDC-T congress set for April 30 to May 1.
“Save for the elections that were disrupted by police, everything is going according to plan. We don’t have any problems. There is no dissent. President Tsvangirai is in control. There is nothing to fear in Bulawayo,” said Chamisa.
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is expected to be the guest of honour at the congress.
At the congress, Elias Mudzuri, the former Minister of Energy and Power Development, is said to be facing a stern challenge from his deputy, Morgan Komichi, a veteran trade unionist.
Party deputy president, Thokozani Khupe, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, is understood to be on cloud nine after Moyo was elected Bulawayo provincial chairman last Saturday before police cut short the elections. The elections are scheduled to be concluded in Bulawayo over the coming weekend.
Water Resources Development Minister, Simon Sipepa-Nkomo, Nor-man Mabhena a member of the party’s national executive committee and the former party’s women’s wing chairperson, Lucia Matibenga, who controversially lost her position to the co-Minister of Home Affairs, Theresa Makone were all said to be interested in the national chairperson’s post, presently held by Speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo.
Makone was said to be facing stiff challenge from the MDC-T chief whip in the Senate and Mabutweni lawmaker, Gladys Dube.
Mkoba lawmaker, Amos Chibaya, is thought to be vying for the national youth assembly chair’s post in a bid to unseat Thamsanqa Mahlangu while Chisipite Senator, Obert Gutu, was said to be eyeing the national spokesperson’s position.
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written by Melusi Mazabane, April 17, 2011
written by Melusi Mazabane, April 17, 2011
It is disheartening to see what is happening to the party of excellence.It is getting harder by the day to distinguish ourselves from ZANU PF. All this infighting needs to be nipped in the bud. It goes back to the split of the MDC where perpetrators of violence were left scot free. How can we throw the first stone at ZANU PF yet we are now becoming a replica of that party. It does not help to have a spokesperson like Chamisa who says everything is okay when rank and file know things are falling apart. What does Chamisa now say when all those provincial elections have to be rerun. Chamisa, the truth never hurt anybody. If we are to become a strong party, we have to accept our short comings not to politicise everything. The police were called in to help. Hopeful this is a learning curve.
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