MDC-T suspends primaries in Zanu-PF strongholds

where it has been battling to get candidates ahead of the harmonised polls. The MDC-T reportedly offered cash inducements as a way of attracting prospective candidates but still found no takers, culminating in the decision to waive primaries for anyone willing to stand on the party’s ticket.

The affected constituencies are the Zanu-PF fortresses of Mwenezi East, Mwenezi West, Chiredzi North and Chiredzi East.

The MDC-T was forced to postpone Masvingo primary elections from last weekend to this coming weekend amid reports that several party heavyweights in the province were not happy with the composition of the electoral colleges that were supposed to take part in the confirmation exercise.

Most of the MDC-T big guns in Masvingo were said to be wary of failing the confirmation process that would expose them to primary election challenge by newcomers.

However, it is the four constituencies that have given the powers that be at Harvest House continuous headaches after the party struggled to get candidates willing to contest elections on its ticket even after dangling cash inducements.

Sources in the party this week disclosed that primary elections had been waived in the four constituencies out of fear of exposing the MDC-T’s poor support base.

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The sources said it was difficult for the MDC-T to hold primary elections in the four constituencies because the party does not have fully-fledged structures in those areas.

“We are not going to hold primary elections in four constituencies here in Masvingo. These are Mwenezi East and West and Chiredzi North and East because of poor support base there. We do not have complete structures in those four constituencies. In fact the party had to incentivise some candidates to accept to stand on our ticket in those areas so it will be self-defeating to then call primary elections,’’ said a party source who refused to be named.

MDC-T Masvingo provincial spokesperson Mr Harrison Mudzuri could only give a general statement when reached for comment.

“It is not true that there are some constituencies in Masvingo where we have waived the holding of primary elections. The MDC-T is preparing to hold primary elections and the confirmation exercise in all the constituencies across Masvingo province. That is all I can say,’’ said Mr Mudzuri.

Rocked by intense infighting along factional fault lines, the MDC-T was reportedly forced to dangle some incentives in form of huge financial and material support to candidates willing represent it in the four constituencies that are well known Zanu-PF strongholds.

The MDC-T also assured candidates who will represent it in the four constituencies that party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai would hold a series of campaign rallies to woo support for them in those areas ahead of harmonised elections that must be held by July 31 this year.