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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
MDC-T supporters in Midlands Province have petitioned the party’s acting chairperson, Mr Morgan Komichi and Midlands North chairperson Mr Sedwell Bhebhe over imposition of candidates in the primary elections.
The supporters going by the name, Concerned Citizens in support of MDC-T, claim that during the recently held primaries, imposition took centre stage as senior party members abused power to hand-pick candidates.
The grouping also warned that the party risks defeat in the coming polls if favouritism and general chaos which characterised the party’s primaries is not addressed.
Spokesperson for the group, Mr Jeremiah Mafirakureva said disgruntled party members would rather vote for candidates from other parties if their concerns are not addressed.
“There is a general feeling of disgruntlement in the manner in which the elections were conducted. There were serious cases of imposition and the party risks losing if the issue is not addressed,” he said.
He said the party was trounced in 2013 as a result of imposition. In the petition in possession of Sunday News, the supporters said in Kwekwe Central Mr Blessing Chebundo was nominated unopposed to represent the party by blocking other candidates who wanted to contest for the same seat.
“This ploy serves to undercut party objectives as it will decrease the party’s reach through infighting and factionalism flared by cycronism and destabilisation as espoused in the Godfather Mentality in Kwekwe Central,” read part of the petition.”
Contacted for comment, Mr Bhebhe said he was yet to receive a copy of the petition but said he could neither confirm nor deny the allegations.
“I can neither confirm nor deny the allegations of imposition raised because in Kwekwe Central where Chebundo won, other candidates only came to submit their CVs after we had closed the nomination process, so he won unopposed,” said Mr Bhebhe.
He said there was no factionalism in the party and disgruntled party members know ways to address any grievances.
“We are intact and we are raring to go come election time. We have assembled a winning team made up of both MDC-T and Alliance candidates,” Mr Bhebhe said.
Mr Komichi could not be reached for comment as his phone went unanswered.
Online Reporter