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Temba Dube Senior Reporter
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday endorsed the candidature of National University of Science and Technology (Nust) lecturer Dr Mandla Nyathi to contest the Bulawayo mayoral post. He also endorsed the candidature of Ward 3 Councillor Martin K Moyo to contest the deputy mayor’s post.
Dr Nyathi’s candidature is however being resisted by a number of councillors and other senior party members.
An official from the party said Mr Tsvangirai first held one-on-one interviews with party members who had applied for the posts.
“I think the outcome was predetermined. We are not happy with Dr Nyathi’s candidature. A majority of people preferred Phulu (Kucaca a city lawyer). I believed for years that there is democracy in our party but today I have finally admitted that there is no democracy in the MDC-T,” said the official.
Councillors are supposed to elect a mayor and his deputy at their first sitting and they are free to disregard the party directive.
Earlier in the day Mr Tsvangirai was pains to explain the process of electing the mayor and his deputy while addressing party supporters at the large City Hall. “People say I am a dictator. However, I am a leader who makes decisions. I consult before acting as opposed to simply giving orders. People are saying we are imposing mayors but the truth is that we are choosing the best candidates to ensure effective service delivery,” said Mr Tsvangirai.
He said after losing to Zanu-PF in the elections, which he maintained were rigged, local authorities were the only autonomous entities where the party could excel to prove its worth.
A comment could not be obtained from MDC-T Bulawayo spokesperson Mr Mandla Sibanda as he was not answering his mobile phone.
Mr Tsvangirai has endorsed the candidature of Mr Obert Gutu to contest the Harare mayor’s post and the deputy mayor’s post will be contested by Mr Thomas Muzuva.
In Chitungwiza, he has endorsed the candidature of Mr Isaac Manyemba in what has been viewed by many within and outside the party as imposition of candidates. MDC-T youths have reportedly written a petition questioning the party’s internal democratic systems and processes, including the imposition of mayoral candidates.
Senior officials in the party have been quoted in the Press alleging there was tension after Mr Tsvangirai began to directly appoint persons to contest the mayors and deputy mayors’ posts as well as individuals to contest chairpersons and deputy chairpersons’ posts.
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