5 MDC bigwigs face their end

Published: 29 April 2019
OUT of the eight MDC bigwigs vying for the position of vice president (VP) in the party, five of them will be condemned to ordinary card-carrying members if they lose their bids, the Daily News can report.

The MDC constitution provides for three VPs.

On Saturday, the party - through its National Council - reserved one of the three slots for a female candidate as part of its efforts to bring about gender equity at the top.

The modalities for this are being finalised by the MDC's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Nelson Chamisa, the MDC president, will retain his post at the congress slated for May 24 to 26 after he was overwhelmingly nominated to retain the position by the party's 13 provinces.

It is, however, a dog-eat-dog affair for those angling to deputise the charismatic 41 year-old advocate and pastor.

Eight heavyweights in the MDC have been nominated to deputise Chamisa, namely Welshman Ncube, Elias Mudzuri, Morgen Komichi, Tendai Biti, Lynnet Karenyi-Kore, Paurina Mpariwa, Lilian Timveos and Tracy Mutinhiri.

While the first three are hopeful of retaining their positions, the National Council's decision to reserve one of the VP posts for a female means that one of them, if not more, will fall by the way side.

The National Council is the MDC's highest decision-making organ in-between congresses.

More officials in other lower ranks could lose their clout in the MDC in the event that their bids fall through.

For the chairmanship, Thabita Khumalo will retain her position uncontested.

Among those contesting for the position of secretary-general, are incumbent Douglas Mwonzora, Chalton Hwende and Daniel Molekeli.

Following the MDC's National Council meeting, it was resolved that candidates nominated for various positions be given up to tomorrow to either accept or decline their nominations.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume also revealed that the party is encouraging candidates who are contesting each other to negotiate a consensus candidate first and only resort to an election after failing to agree.

"The party mandated the IEC running the congress to organise caucuses for those contesting each other to table before members and the public what they will offer the party and country if elected," Mafume said.

"These debates shall be open to the public, the media and shall be streamed live on the party's official social media platforms. The commission shall appoint independent moderators for these debates".

Insiders in the MDC said those who fail in their bids will be counting on Chamisa to use his constitutional powers as president to appoint them into the national executive as portfolio secretaries.

It will not be the first time that this has happened as in 2011, Mudzuri was appointed into the national executive by then MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai (now late), after losing his position as organising secretary of the party to Chamisa.

The MDC founding president who died of colon cancer in February last year did the same with Chamisa in 2014 when he lost to Mwonzora when they contested to become secretary-general.

Tsvangirai had to pick Chamisa from the political dustbin and appointed him secretary for policy and research.

He was later appointed one of the MDC vice presidents, along with Mudzuri and Thokozani Khupe who eventually broke ranks to form her own political outfit.

Meanwhile, the MDC family will gather in Gutu for the memorial service of Zengeza West Member of Parliament Job Sikhala's father on May 3.

And on May 4, party supporters and officials will travel to Humanikwa Village in Buhera for Tsvangirai's memorial.
- dailynews
Tags: MDC,

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