Curtain comes down on MDC congress

via Curtain comes down on MDC congress – DailyNews Live 2 November 2014 by Chengetai Zvauya

HARARE – Fierce contests characterised the MDC election congress yesterday, as candidates put final touches to their campaign.

Groups of supporters could be seen at City Sports Centre in Harare yesterday, the venue of the extraordinary congress, wearing party regalia, campaigning for their preferred candidates.

The youth and women assembly elections were held  on Saturday morning and were followed by the national executive leadership elections.

Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC spokesperson  who  is eyeing the post of secretary general, was one  of the senior party members who was on a campaign trail.

Mwonzora was squaring off with Nelson Chamisa.

The elections were characterised by peaceful  campaigns.

Clifford Hlatshwayo,  outgoing  spokesperson of  the Youth Assembly told the Daily News on Sunday  that the youth members had voted in a peaceful manner to the  satisfaction  of the delegates. He urged other  organs of the party to follow their example.

“We have finished our elections peacefully and we hope that we have shown other organs on how to vote peacefully,” Hlatshwayo said.

The two-day  congress which started on Friday is electing a new leadership in the Youth Assembly,  Women Assembly and top  posts in the  national executive committee.

Morgan Tsvangirai was retained as the party leader for the next five years whilst his deputy Thokozani Khupe was also retained unopposed together with Lovemore Moyo as the party chairman.

For the deputy chairman post, incumbent Morgen Komichi slugged it out with Gift Chimanikire.

Paurina Mpariwa was elected deputy secretary-general unopposed.

Tapiwa Mashakada squared off with Theresa Makoni for the treasurer-general post.

Amos Chibaya, Murisi Zvizwai and Abednico Bhebhe did battle for the organising secretary post.

Thamsanqa Mahlangu and Costa Machingauta contested for the deputy organising secretary post.

Linnet Chikore and Editor Matamisa battled it out for the women’s assembly boss, while Clifford Hlatshwayo and James Chidhakwa fought for the youth assembly chairperson post.

The congress, originally set for 2016, had to be brought forward after former deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and secretary-general Tendai Biti launched a massive campaign to push for urgent leadership change following Tsvangirai’s third consecutive defeat by Zanu PF in last year’s harmonised elections.

The campaign reached a crescendo in February this year when Biti and Mangoma left the MDC to form their splinter group, MDC renewal team.