adminMidlands Correspondent
MDC-T has reportedly sent circulars to all urban councils in the country allegedly threatening to fire all councillors who defy the party position on mayoral candidates. The Morgan Tsvangirai led party imposed mayoral candidates in all cities and towns where it got the majority of votes.
Some disgruntled councillors who were not happy with their party’s position to impose mayoral candidates said they would defy their leadership by choosing their own preferred candidates.
In Gweru, councillors who intended to contest the Gweru mayoral post have since withdrawn from the race after they allegedly received threats from the party’s national executive.
“We were determined to stand for the mayoral position because we have the backing of fellow councillors. We all felt the decision by our party to impose mayoral candidates was wrong. I have, however, communicated to my fellow councillors that I am no longer going to contest the mayoral post because I was bullied and threatened by the party,” said a councillor who preferred anonymity fearing reprisals.
Another councillor said the threat to fire councillors who decide to vote for a candidate of their choice proved the MDC-T was undemocratic.
“We feel our party has since lost the democratic principle which was one of its core founding principles when it was formed in 1999. When some of us dumped Zanu-PF to join the MDC-T, we wanted to exercise our democratic rights. It appears we are in a worse-off position as our party has lost the plot,” charged the councillor.
The councillors said they were last week summoned to the MDC-T headquarters, Harvest House, in Harare where they were also threatened with expulsion from the party, if they defied the executive’s directive.
MDC-T Midlands South provincial spokesperson Mr James Tsuro confirmed that all the councillors who were aspiring to be mayors were summoned to Harare last week where they were told the party position.
“I have not been to the provincial party offices in the last two days and I am not privy to the said circular. What I can confirm is that the party has its position and all the councillors who were eyeing mayoral posts in their respective cities and towns were summoned to the party headquarters and told about the party position with regards to mayoral posts,” he said.
Mr Tsuro said by defying the MDC-T position, the councillors would have breached the party’s code of conduct.
He said all councillors who defy the party position would face disciplinary measures.
Online Reporter