MDC-T structures in stormy debate

Politics
MDC-T infighting seems to have cascaded to provinces with the party’s Midlands North district chairpersons accusing provincial leaders of fanning divisions instead of addressing pressing national issues.

MDC-T infighting seems to have cascaded to provinces with the party’s Midlands North district chairpersons accusing provincial leaders of fanning divisions instead of addressing pressing national issues.

BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER

Sources said a meeting held last Saturday and attended by provincial vice-chairperson Sidney Bhebhe, secretary for local government Blessing Chebundo and Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya, saw the district leadership expressing their anger at the way primary elections had been conducted in the run-up to last year’s general elections.

“Elections were lost mainly because of candidate imposition which resulted in protest votes, especially in Kwekwe Central,” said a district chairperson who attended the meeting.

Another chairperson said his district was concerned that the provincial leadership had failed to deal with cases of double nominations and that there was looting of campaign material and other resources which demoralised the general membership.

“They were giving each other T-shirts and money which was meant for polling agents while failing to deal with pressing issues of double candidates or assisting candidates to campaign,” said the chairperson.

Provincial secretary Felix Zifunzi confirmed that they had held a consultative provincial council meeting meant to map a way forward for the party currently engulfed by infighting over party leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s continued leadership.

“We wanted to map a way forward and take stock of our district leadership and membership recruitment drive.

“The council also discussed how we should start rallies so that we rejuvenate our support base and position ourselves ahead of the 2018 general elections,” said Zifunzi.

Zifunzi rejected claims that provincial leadership came under attack from district chairpersons, but conceded that some elements which contributed to the MDC-T losing over 10 seats in the Midlands that it had won in the previous elections were discussed.

The district chairpersons who met Tsvangirai in a stormy gathering that ended with party deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma being assaulted by angry party youths last week at Harvest House said, it was important for the MDC-T to focus on its structures and stop blaming Tsvangirai for losing.