via MDC-T bigwigs battle – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 11, 2014 by Moses Matenga
THE stage is now set for a bruising fight in the MDC-T with only party leader Morgan Tsvangirai and national chairman Lovemore going unchallenged at the party’s elective congress next month.
Party insiders said vice-president Thokozani Khupe was likely to be challenged by Bulawayo East MP Tabita Khumalo and Elias Mudzuri although MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday said nominations were yet to begin.
Mudzuri had initially sought to challenge Tsvangirai for the presidency.
Current national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa and deputy national chairperson Morgen Komichi are reportedly eyeing the second vice-presidency if the post is approved under the proposed constitutional changes.
Sources said Chamisa was also eyeing the secretary-general’s post if proposals to introduce the second vice-presidency were shot down.
For the secretary-general’s post, Chamisa will likely square off with Gift Chimanikire and Tapiwa Mashakada, who is holding the post in an acting capacity. Mashakada is currently the party’s deputy secretary-general.
Women’s assembly chairperson Theresa Makone is likely to try her luck over the treasurer-general position left vacant after the exit of Roy Bennett.
Makone is likely to battle it out with Harare provincial spokesperson Obert Gutu, James Gumbi and former Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jameson Timba.
Gutu yesterday said: “I cannot comment on anything as yet because nominations haven’t been done. The cadres in the various provinces will decide on their respective nominations at the appropriate time.”
Chalton Hwende and David Chimhini are said to be eyeing the post of deputy treasurer-general which fell vacant after Elton Mangoma left for the Renewal Team led by former MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti.
Mkoba MP Amos Chibaya is eyeing the post of national organising secretary currently held by Chamisa and will fight it out with Abednico Bhebhe who is the current deputy national organising secretary.
MDC-T returnee Job Sikhala is set to lock horns with Thamsanqa Mahlangu for the post of deputy national organising secretary.
Mwonzora and Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka are set to clash over party spokesperson’s post.
Youth Assembly spokesperson Clifford Hlyatwayo is eyeing the post of the president of the youths where he is likely to clash with Happymore Chidziva and James Chidhakwa, the current youth assembly secretary for defence and security.
Hlyatwayo yesterday confirmed his interest to land the post.
“Yes, I am ready to lead the vision,” he said.
The Women Assembly seat will likely see Lynnette Karenyi facing off against Sibusisiwe Bhuda-Masara and former Labour minister Paurina Mpariwa.
According to insiders, there was fear that a group of Tsvangirai loyalists which comprised of “unelectable” members was pushing to give him executive powers so that he appoints the executive instead of using the ballot system.
COMMENTS
MDC T, DONT FORGET THE BASE, MATABELELAND! ITS NICE TO SHARE THE SPOILS AS A CLAN!!!!
I agree..MDC is Matebeleland….these people have shunned tribalism and have shown the greedy selfish Shonas that they are above tribalism in their thought process and have sacrificed the Ncubes and Swelas for the National good.
I have more Shona blood than Ndebele blood and once lived and worked in Matebeleland What a great people….they changed me from Hungwe to Nyoni and took me as their own.
That changes nothing your name change shows me there is fear in you,please try and find out where that fear was coming from.I am Shona and will remain Shona…tribalism should never be tolerated and people who change names to suit certain environments show me that they are afraid of something…
I have been staying in Bulawayo for so many years and have a family and a home here.Although I grew up in Harare I believe Bulawayo is a very peace loving community however politicians and media try to portray a different picture for their own benefit and some elements of the populace at large get carried away.
There are also so many Ndebeles living in Harare and are not affected by the so called tribalism in Zimbabwe.Go to rural Masvingo and you will realize that there are so many elders of Ndebele origin living happily by the standards of the rural folk.
Whilst I understand that the language barrier is always an issue I believe a very good solution from all stakeholders among them,ZRP,ZBC,Ministry of Education,Political Parties,Private Media,Tertiary Institutions,all Government Institutions etc at least to prepare every Zimbabwean to be able to communicate with each on all two major languages to certain acceptable levels.
Khupe and Bhebhe are going to be challenged by a dark horse the plan r underway to nominate the guys