adminAlthough the party is yet to officially invite members to file their CVs in readiness for the selection of candidates, sources say fierce jostling is already under way in many constituencies across the country.
“People are lobbying for positions all over the country. It is a civilised but competitive lobbying. I know many people in Matabeleland and elsewhere. For instance, Albert Masocha Ndlovu, our secretary for mobilisation, is eying Matobo North. Decent Bajila, our national youth chairman, is gunning for Matobo South constituency,” said a party source in Bulawayo.
Both constituencies are in Matabeleland South. Matobo North constituency was left vacant after Mr Lovemore Moyo (MDC-T) was voted Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The source added that Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Mr Edwin Ndlovu, is reportedly seeking to contest in Luveve. The party’s deputy president, Mr Edwin Mushoriwa, is eying Mutare South, while the faction’s Manicaland provincial chairman, Mr David Mandirwira, has sights on Makoni South constituency.
Mr Goodrich Chimbaira, the national chairman, has shown interest in Chikomba Central in Mashonaland East. Mr Kurauone Chihwayi, the deputy national spokesperson, is reportedly keen on Chivi South in Masvingo.
Mr Chihwayi said it is still premature for anyone to start positioning themselves as the party has not officially invited aspiring candidates. He urged party members to desist from mentioning names of people and constituencies they are eyeing as other party members might feel shut out of the contest for office. He, however, said party members are free to seek support as long as that is done in terms of the party constitution.
“Participation in elections is free for all our members, but the party does not have a list of candidates yet. I must, however, say there is nothing wrong with one declaring interest. For now, the position is that we do not have any candidates for any constituency. Time will come for us to invite those interested to submit their CVs.”
Mr Edwin Ndlovu said he is keen on Pumula, not Luveve.
“I am not interested in Luveve, but Pumula if the party clears me and the grassroots nominate me.”
On his reported interest in Chivi South, Mr Chihwayi said:
“I said the party does not have a list yet, so it is wrong for anyone to make that claim. That is for our election directorate headed by Sibongile Mgijima to say, at the appropriate time.”
He said there is likely to be “stiff competition” for the right to represent the smaller MDC faction “because of the growing popularity of the party since congress (in January last year). We are happy with progress because what our president (Professor Welshman Ncube) achieved in seven months, (Prof Arthur) Mutambara failed to do in six years”.
The party won 10 House of Assembly seats in the 2008 harmonised elections, but fired three legislators a few months after the poll accusing them of undermining their own party by working with MDC-T. About five more recently announced that they recognise the leadership of Prof Mutambara who is locked in a leadership fight with Prof Ncube.
Among the legislators who have deserted Prof Ncube is Umzingwane MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ms Nomalanga Khumalo.
“We are concentrating on the core business of the party,” said Mr Chihwayi, “not to fight people who betrayed the people who voted them into office. The core business of the party is to campaign and keep in touch with the people. We are not concentrating on fighting individuals. But I must say these people have not joined Mutambara as they claim; they are with MDC-T.”
Online Reporter