adminto tear the Professor Welshman Ncube led party apart.
The MDC denied the matter last night but confirmed that Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga has not expressed interest in contesting in any constituency.
The Herald is reliably informed that Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga, whose mother reportedly comes from Esigodini which falls under Mzingwane Constituency in Matabeleland South, has not submitted her curriculum vitae and application for any seat during MDC primaries that started over the weekend.
Sources say Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga is eyeing the Mzingwane Constituency.
Some bigwigs in the MDC are reluctant to participate in the upcoming harmonised elections and are targeting “free seats” under proportional representation. The move by Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga is reportedly fully backed by the party leadership, a development that has angered the MDC Matabeleland province structures.
It appears Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga, a former Glen Norah legislator on an MDC ticket before its split 2005, sees chances of getting into Parliament higher via Matabeleland South on proportional representation.
“The secretary general Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s name has popped up in Matabeleland South province where a seat has been reserved for her by the party leadership under proportional representation.
“The move would be vigorously contested or else we will quit the party,” a source said.
Another source said MDC senior party members in Matabeleland South have been angered by the decision as they believe there are equally capable female candidates in the province other than Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga whom they largely see as a “foreigner”.
“People in Matabeleland South do not want Misihairabwi-Mushonga and are vowing to block the move. All along she has been pretending to come from Masvingo and we do not understand why the province is being forced to import her candidature. During the party’s 2011 congress Misihairabwi-Mushonga came representing Masvingo and we do not understand why she is now dumping that province for Matabeleland South,” the source said.
Apart from Prof Ncube’s backing, Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga is reportedly enjoying support from MDC treasurer-general Mr Paul Themba Nyathi who comes from Matabeleland South. The Herald is reliably informed that MDC provincial chairman Mr Petros Mukwena, who is strongly opposed to the imposition of Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga in Matabeleland South, has since been suspended.
Those close to Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga say she argues that she comes from Matabeleland South by virtue of her mother hailing from that province.
“She is arguing that her mother comes from Matabeleland South and she is simply coming back home,” a source said.
MDC insiders say a plot to impose Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga in the province was planned at the beginning of this year when the party leadership awarded her the Mzilikazi Order of Merit in February.
While Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga was not picking her mobile phone yesterday, MDC spokesperson Mr Nhlanhla Dube said not available to comment.
Online Reporter