Chaos in MDC-T

discontentment grows over plans by the party to impose sitting candidates in harmonised elections scheduled for next year.

The Herald is reliably informed that some senior party officials were now using their positions to frustrate aspiring candidates, the majority of whom are councillors.
Sitting MDC-T legislators will not undergo primary elections.

Only those that would have failed to garner a two-thirds majority would be subjected to primary elections.

A number of councillors aspiring to be legislators have either been suspended or are facing disciplinary action in a move they claim is aimed at derailing their candidacy.

Sources say party bigwigs, among them secretary general Tendai Biti, deputy secretary general Tapiwa Mashakada, women’s assembly chairperson Theresa Makone, Chitungwiza provincial chairperson Alexio Musundire and secretary for international relations Jameson Timba, are reportedly facing serious challenge from highly popular councillors within their respective constituencies.

Legislators Marvellous Khumalo (St Mary’s), Fidelis Mhashu (Chitungwiza North), Collin Gwiyo (Zengeza West) and Misheck Shoko (Chitungwiza South) are also facing fierce challenge from some councillors in their constituencies.

In Hatfield, Mr Mashakada is reportedly facing a contest from Clr Pumulani Musagwiza.
“In a bid to frustrate Clr Musagwiza ahead of the elections, the councillor was fired from the party about three months ago allegedly on the instigation of the deputy secretary general Mr Mashakada.

Flimsy allegations of under performance, insubordination and corruption were levelled against him,” a source said.

The sitting legislator for Harare North Mrs Makone stands accused of having orchestrated the expulsion of Mr Chiroto from the MDC-T after realising he was amassing grassroot support.
Mr Chiroto, who is the deputy mayor for Harare, remains a councillor.

Mr Timba, the House of Assembly representative for Mt Pleasant and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, faces a challenge from Clr Warship Dumba who sources say is interested in the seat.

Non-constituency senator and Local Government, Urban and Rural Development deputy minister Sessel Zvidzai stands accused, within the party circles, of instigating the expulsion of Gweru mayor Mr Tedious Chimombe from the party whom he saw as a potential threat for a seat in the Midlands town.

In Chitungwiza, Mr Musundire is reportedly blocking the clearance of former Chitungwiza councillor and deputy mayor Rangarirai Mutingwende by the party.

Mr Mutingwende was dismissed from Chitungwiza Municipality by the MDC-T together with several other councillors but has proved to be popular in Zengeza East.