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AN MDC-T official in Manicaland has criticised the party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai for imposing candidates, a move he said cost the party when it was handed a crushing defeat at the hands of Zanu-PF in the July 31 harmonised elections. Mr Regai Tsunga, who wanted to stand in Mutasa South but was disqualified for allegedly organising a Bob@88 golf tournament, criticised his party for its penchant to impose candidates.
In a message posted on his facebook wall, Mr Tsunga blasted Mr Tsvangirai for holding on to party leadership despite the fact that he no longer had anything new to offer to the embattled party.
Mr Tsunga’s brother, Arnold, surprised MDC-T leadership by winning Dangamvura constituency in the elections after beating the party’s official candidate and outgoing National Housing Minister Giles Mutsekwa.
Mr Mutsekwa was imposed by Mr Tsvangirai despite him having been beaten by Mr Tsunga in the first round of primary elections.
“Can someone confirm if being chairman of a golf club transforms one into being a security risk as decided by, you know who?” asked Mr Tsunga.
“Why some leaders stoop this low boggles the mind. Now, seat rakaenda, something that could have well been avoided if internal democratic processes had been observed and fulfilled. The ‘handiende’ syndrome has caught up with some of the leaders in the ‘party of excellence’ to the extent that they block the holding of confirmation and primary elections.
“Mark my words, these same characters will once again surface to demonise competitors in the next elections as they fail to realise that ushe madzoro.”
Party spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora said the party had exercised its discretion to disqualify candidates that failed to meet the criterion it had set. “The issue of the golf tournament that he organised was one of the many reasons the party used,” he said.
The MDC-T lost Mutasa South constituency to Cde Irene Zindi of Zanu-PF after it imposed sitting legislator, Mr Misheck Kagurabadza.
Mr Tsvangirai is still recovering from a poll drubbing by Zanu-PF after the revolutionary party won with a landslide by securing more than two thirds of National Assembly seats.
Online Reporter