adminThe MDC-T released nomination forms for aspiring party candidates to various provinces this week as the party prepares for its primary elections.
Warring party factions that have been jostling in the MDC-T Midlands structures since 2008 began to tussle for posts by filling up nomination forms to contest in the primary elections.
According to a list of aspiring candidates who have since submitted their nomination forms, one of the major highlights of the primaries could be the expected bruising contest between Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Deputy Minister, Mr Sesil Zvidzayi, who is set to square off with Gweru Urban constituency Member of Parliament, Mr Roderick Rutsvara.
Mr Zvidzayi is the leader of one faction (Masowe), while Mr Rutsvara is from the rival faction, Jatropha, reportedly led by Mkoba MP, Mr Amos Chibaya.
Mr Chibaya assumed the leadership of the Jatropha faction following the death of the outspoken Gweru-Chirumanzu senator, Patrick Kombayi.
Sources told Chronicle recently that tempers flared within the two rival factions as they both jostled for nomination forms.
“The forms are limited and there is already some fighting within the two rival factions as they jostle to get the forms. Interestingly, each faction is fielding its own candidate and those who are believed to be provincial party heavy weights are contesting each other with the aim of dethroning one another,” said the source.
The source said Mr Zvidzayi has since completed his nomination papers for the Gweru urban seat, setting the tone for a bruising contest with the incumbent, Mr Rutsvara.
Mr Chibaya is set to face the challenge of senior provincial member Mr Bonface Ncube, who is aligned to the Jatropha faction.
The Mkoba MP’s close friend and former Gweru Central Member of Parliament, Mr Timothy Mkhahlera is eyeing the Chiwundura constituency where he is set to fight it out with two candidates from the Masowe faction, a resident of Chiwundura, whose name was not availed at the time of going to Press and Mr Desmond Ngwegwe.
“These factions are headed for a bruising battle and as it stands these primary elections will leave the already divided province in further problems. The forms are in shortly supply and there is already fighting with the factions accusing each other of hoarding the forms,” said the source.
MDC-T Midlands South provincial elections director, Mr Obert Tachi Ncube confirmed that the province received nomination forms this week.
He also confirmed that there was jostling for the forms, but denied that the nomination papers were in short supply.
“I can confirm that the province has received nomination forms for aspiring MPs and councillors. There is jostling for the forms because everyone wishing to be an MP or councillor as long as one meets the requirements can fill these. The forms are, however, in abundance and we are taking them to all the districts. My advice to our members is that they should not travel to Gweru to get these forms as they will be delivered to their respective districts,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the party would avail a short list of those who would have met the requirements spelt in the forms.
“The forms are clear, people who wish to contest the MP or councillor’s post should meet some specific requirements. Right now people are just rushing to get the forms and there is no restriction. The party will give a short list of those who would have qualified by meeting the stipulated requirements and where there would be more than two candidates, we will conduct primary elections,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the party was trying to make the whole process as transparent as possible so as to avoid parallel candidates.
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