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Sekulwekhosi Dube
AS Zimbabweans go out to vote today, MDC-T which was once recognised as a major threat to Zanu-PF, has become synonymous with chaos and tensions thereby worsening its own situation.Political analysts have blamed the party for failing to properly manage its internal political conflicts thereby digging its own grave in the process.
Formed in 1999 as MDC before it split in 2005 into MDC and MDC-T, the latter party has, over the past five years, become synonymous with factionalism, abuse of funds and office and imposition of candidates. After seeing these humiliating developments, a number of MDC-T members and supporters have left the party and are questioning the capability and genuineness of the party.
These developments have resulted in the party’s downfall in several parts of the country. According to analysts, it can be concluded that the maturity of the party and its leaders has been tested and found wanting.
Political analyst Mr Dumisani Mpofu said ethnic tensions have always been a common phenomenon in Zimbabwean politics and MDC-T has failed to address this problem resulting in factionalism.
“Since 1960, the politics of our country have taken regional and tribal dimensions. In this case the MDC-T was not expected to be an exception.
“The debate on succession rocked the party until it split into two with the MDC emerging out of the party under the leadership of Minister Welshman Ncube who champions devolution of power,” said Mr Mpofu.
“The party (MDC-T) has become very much synonymous with infighting as leaders have been battling for constituencies.
“An example is the fight between the party’s Bulawayo chairman and Minister of Parastatals; Mr Gorden Moyo supported by the party’s vice president Thokozani Khupe (on one hand) and former Senator, Matson Hlalo over the Makokoba constituency. The MDC-T leaders have become their own enemies,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said the wrangle over posts within MDC-T exploded during the party’s primary elections. Mr Mpofu said the conflict exposed the party’s weakness, thereby compromising its popularity in a great way just before the elections.
“The primary elections exposed the party’s confusion and discord which dealt a severe blow to its image just before the elections.
“The period just before the elections is a time for parties to sell their politics to the people. The MDC-T was, in contrast, trying to contain the chaos which was caused by the primaries,” said Mr Mpofu.
Amid the chaos that engulfed the party structures throughout the country blamed largely on the imposition of candidates, MDC-T leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, admitted to imposing rebel MPs from MDC as party representatives for National Assembly posts in a number of constituencies.
Mr Tsvangirai indicated that he owed the MDC rebels for voting for Mr Lovemore Moyo to become Speaker of Parliament in 2008.
In his visit to Bulilima District last month, he declared that Mr Norman Mpofu would represent MDC-T in Bulilima East Constituency, Mr Abednico Bhebhe in Nkayi South, Mr Thandeko Zinti Mkandla in Gwanda North, Ms Nomalanga Khumalo in Umzingwane and Mr Njabuliso Mguni in Lupane East.
His announcement irked party members resulting in many standing as independent candidates. At least 29 former MDC-T members are standing as independents for National Assembly seats across the country with 28 more doing the same for municipal seats.
“The MDC-T leaders were again found wanting when they completely failed to conduct primaries in a fair and just manner. Instead of practising the democracy they have always preached, the party leadership imposed candidates on the people.
Another political analyst, Dr Lawton Hikwa said MDC-T’s popularity was waning because the party failed to deliver on its promises.
“When the MDC-T party emerged,” said Dr Hikwa, “it came in the form of a protest group that was on a mission to bring change but we later witnessed the party that was preaching democracy imposing candidates, an act which can cripple any party. The MDC-T seems to have delivered what people were not expecting, which is injustice.
The MDC-T was always emphasising on improving working conditions, stopping corruption and improving the living conditions of people.
“However, after the formation of the inclusive Government the party failed to deliver on its promises. The electorate back then was eager to have a feel of the changes promised by the MDC-T party and this time around they have had a feel of what an MDC-T government system is capable of doing,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said the recent alliance of MDC-T and other small political parties was a desperate attempt to boost its support base.
“The MDC-T party realises that its popularity has been compromised and has resorted to forming alliances with the Mavambo Party and Zanu Ndonga.
These two small parties are also desperate and the alliances are the best way of keeping them relevant in politics.”
Mr Mpofu said Zanu-PF during campaigns, was selling its policies and programmes.
“The MDC-T on the other hand has nothing to offer.What parties should appreciate is that the electorate today is now different. People are now moved by appealing policies not food handouts,” said Mr Mpofu.
Online Reporter