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heavyweights to rig the elections in most of the party’s provinces.
In Bulawayo, the primary elections have exposed deep-seated factionalism in the party, with observers saying they turned out to be a contest between the factions led by provincial chairman Mr Gorden Moyo and Mzilikazi Senator, Mr Matson Hlalo.
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In Masvingo, it has emerged that a group of aspiring candidates is unhappy over attempts by some sitting legislators to rig the weekend confirmation process to avoid the stiff challenge from newcomers.
Bulawayo’s MDC-T primaries confirmed six sitting MPs as candidates for the party in the parliamentary elections while three others, Ms Dorcas Sibanda (Bulawayo Central), Mr Felix Mafa Magalela Sibanda (Magwegwe) and Samuel Sandla Khumalo (Mpopoma-Pelandaba) could not be confirmed. Party insiders yesterday said the Hlalo faction had taken a lead as most of their members were set to contest the harmonised elections.
These are Thamsanqa Mahlangu (Nkulumane), Thabitha Khumalo (Bulawayo East) and Prince Dube from Entumbane-Emakhandeni constituency, who beat a candidate from the Moyo faction, former journalist, Reverend Useni Sibanda. Mr Khumalo and Mr Magalela Sibanda are also from the Hlalo faction while Ms Sibanda belongs to the Moyo group.
Mr Moyo was nominated to contest Makokoba constituency, replacing Ms Thokozani Khupe, the party’s deputy president, who would not contest.
Mr Moyo and Mr Mhlanga were the only two candidates who were confirmed from the other faction.
The rejected MPs failed to garner a two-thirds majority vote in their constituencies and would have to square off with aspiring candidates in primary elections.
Others who were confirmed are, Mr Eddie Cross (Bulawayo South), Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (Lobengula) and Mr Reggie Moyo, who reportedly do not belong to any of the factions.
Bulawayo has 12 constituencies.
Primary elections were held in Nketa and Emakhandeni constituencies to replace the late MPs, Seiso Moyo and Cornelius Dube.
In separate interviews yesterday, party supporters said the outcome of the weekend internal poll reveals deep-seated factionalism while aspiring candidates alleged that the sitting MPs rigged the outcome.
In Pumula and Luveve constituencies party supporters have since appealed to the national leadership not to recognise the results of the confirmation exercise.
In Pumula constituency, party supporters said the verification process was marred by massive vote buying and intimidation.
“There was vote buying by MP Albert Mhlanga, who has been holding parties in individuals’ houses. He has also been threatening those who oppose him and we are prepared to testify,” said another party member.
Copies of letters of appeal shown to our Bulawayo Bureau revealed that party supporters were bitter about the manner in which the exercise was done. A similar scenario was also reported in Lobengula.
Provincial party spokesperson Mr Mandlenkosi Sibanda said the verification exercise had been completed.
He dismissed allegations that rigging took place during the process.
Mr Magalela Sibanda also declined to comment. “Which paper do you work for? Chronicle? I do not know a newspaper called Chronicle,” he said, before hanging up his phone.
In Harare some sitting MPs were also defeated in the primary elections that saw former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) disc jockeys, Eric Knight and James Maridadi, winning.
Former Radio Two DJ, Knight, was endorsed to stand for Mbare constituency while ex-Radio 3 DJ Maridadi would stand for Mabvuku-Tafara constituency, beating Timothy Mubhawu, who was seeking a come-back.
Meanwhile, MDC-T primary elections in the Midlands province, which were scheduled for the weekend, have been postponed to tomorrow.
Aspiring candidates in the province are accusing sitting MPs and councillors of trying to delay primary elections in fear of losing their seats.
However, the party’s provincial chairman Mr Amos Chibaya said the Wednesday election dates were decided by the national executive.
In Masvingo, sources yesterday said several aspiring candidates in the MDC-T were allegedly aware of plots by provincial party heavyweights to manipulate the confirmation exercise.
Last week the disillusioned aspiring candidates distributed fliers around the city and suburbs emblazoned with the party’s symbol demanding free and fair primary elections.
Some of the fliers that were written, “Primaries for Everyone. No Sacred Cows. Down with Candidate Imposition. Our Party Is A Rich Democracy.”
Out of the 13 sitting MDC-T legislators in Masvingo, only Mr Heya Shoko of Bikita is not being challenged while the Gutu South seat is vacant after the death of the late Cabinet Minister Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro.
In Masvingo Central Mr Jeffryson Chitando voluntarily said he was not seeking re-election, opening the seat up for grabs among four aspiring candidates. Other party heavyweights such as Masvingo Urban legislator and Deputy Minister Mr Tongai Matutu, provincial organising secretary Mr Enerst Mudavanhu of Zaka North and provincial spokesperson Mr Harrison Mudzuri, national council member Mr Edmore Marima of Bikita East would have to ward off challenges from several aspiring candidates if they fail the confirmation exercise this weekend.
Mr Matutu said he was not aware of fliers that had been distributed by party members, saying it was the work of outsiders or simply weak primary election candidates staring inevitable defeat. MDC-T provincial spokesman Mr Mudzuri also denied the existence of a plot to impose candidates saying his party was democratic.
“We are a democratic party and we do not impose candidates. Those fliers are not from our members,” he said. — Bulawayo Bureau/Masvingo Bureau/Herald Reporters.
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Charles Duri