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At its national council meeting held last week, the MDC-T resolved that all seats held by women be contested by women a development that effectively sidelined Mr Moyo who was eyeing Makokoba constituency which is held by party vice president Thokozani Khupe.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the national council decision. “The national council resolved that all those seats which are held by women will be contested by women only at the primary level,” said Mr Mwonzora.
“Male candidates are not allowed to challenge those women because we do not want to reduce the number of seats held by women. Those candidates who had eyed those seats will be automatically dropped from the race.”
Mr Moyo has, however, managed to by-pass that resolution.
This, sources at Harvest House say, was much to the chagrin of members who were seeking to clip his wings and reserve Makokoba for a woman.
Mr Moyo refused to speak to The Herald yesterday but Mr Mwonzora confirmed the development.
“I am no longer commenting on those issues. There are some people (in the party) who are trying to play political truancy, so I am not commenting,” said Mr Moyo.
EARLIER REPORTS
Mr Moyo got into Parliament as a non constituency legislator when Ms Khupe was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in the inclusive Government.
Ms Khupe has since indicated she would not be contesting in Makokoba and MDC-T insiders say they thought the seat would be reserved for a woman to battle it out against other candidates in harmonised elections this year.
Sources at Harvest House say a clique close to party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai wanted to push Mr Moyo out after reports emerged that some Western envoys accredited to Zimbabwe wanted him to succeed Mr Tsvangirai who is now viewed as a liability to the regime change agenda.
Mr Mwonzora, however, denied that there was a clique baying for Mr Moyo’s blood, adding he was free to contest the Makokoba seat.
“There is no truth in the fact that the MDC members fear Moyo will be too powerful. There is no fear like that and there has been no such discussions that Moyo wants to succeed president Tsvangirai.”
Online Reporter