Upenyu
Chaota
Chaota
With the main opposition MDC Alliance bracing up for
its congress in October next year, trouble seems to be brewing in paradise as
party president Nelson Chamisa’s loyalists are fighting teeth and nail to have
him go uncontested, TellZim News can report.
its congress in October next year, trouble seems to be brewing in paradise as
party president Nelson Chamisa’s loyalists are fighting teeth and nail to have
him go uncontested, TellZim News can report.
This has however triggered a backlash from other top
brass leaders who are angling to challenge Chamisa at the congress.
brass leaders who are angling to challenge Chamisa at the congress.
It has been reported that Chamisa was under pressure
from the likes of secretary general Douglas Mwonzora and deputy president Elias
Mudzuri who harbour ambitions to take Chamisa’s job.
from the likes of secretary general Douglas Mwonzora and deputy president Elias
Mudzuri who harbour ambitions to take Chamisa’s job.
Though Mwonzora and Mudzuri have publicly denied
harbouring any ambitions to challenge Chamisa, inside sources say the two are
working underground to strike a Chamisa a devastating blow once he blinks.
harbouring any ambitions to challenge Chamisa, inside sources say the two are
working underground to strike a Chamisa a devastating blow once he blinks.
Most of Chamisa’s loyalists who sat in the recent
National Executive Council (NEC) are reported to have pushed for the ouster of
Mwonzora but Chamisa vetoed the decision at the 11th hour.
National Executive Council (NEC) are reported to have pushed for the ouster of
Mwonzora but Chamisa vetoed the decision at the 11th hour.
With Mwonzora saved, Chamisa loyalists set their
target on Mudzuri who found himself in the eye of the storm when he showed up
for a meeting at State House early this week in his capacity as a senator.
target on Mudzuri who found himself in the eye of the storm when he showed up
for a meeting at State House early this week in his capacity as a senator.
Mudzuri was seen posing for pictures with President
Mnangagwa, a move exploited by his enemies to persecute him.
Mnangagwa, a move exploited by his enemies to persecute him.
Mudzuri was heckled by Murisi Zwizwai, Charlton Hwende
among others for going to the meeting ‘clandestinely’ and meeting with an
‘illegitimate’ President.
among others for going to the meeting ‘clandestinely’ and meeting with an
‘illegitimate’ President.
A defiant Mudzuri, who calls himself the Ramaphosa of
MDC, however later responded by saying he was prepared to be fired from the MDC
if what he did was wrong.
MDC, however later responded by saying he was prepared to be fired from the MDC
if what he did was wrong.
“It is with sadness and unfortunate that my fellow
junior parliamentarians would want to play petty politics on something that is
part of my terms of reference as a party deployee.
junior parliamentarians would want to play petty politics on something that is
part of my terms of reference as a party deployee.
“My confusion to all this stems from the fact that, if
what I did was “illegal” to my fellow parliamentarians, then I want to
understand what we are still doing in parliament as a party and wasting
taxpayer’s money.
what I did was “illegal” to my fellow parliamentarians, then I want to
understand what we are still doing in parliament as a party and wasting
taxpayer’s money.
“I went to State House not to appease President
Mnangagwa, but to respect the office of Parliament. If I am wrong and they are
right, I would be proud to be fired from the party because I represented the
Party in Parliament business. It’s sad that my very colleagues, were fully
engaged in parliament business at HICC on post budget consultations, a budget
presentation that saw MPs under attack from police. What hypocrisy!
Mnangagwa, but to respect the office of Parliament. If I am wrong and they are
right, I would be proud to be fired from the party because I represented the
Party in Parliament business. It’s sad that my very colleagues, were fully
engaged in parliament business at HICC on post budget consultations, a budget
presentation that saw MPs under attack from police. What hypocrisy!
I believe that I went to State House not to betray
anyone nor did I do it nicodemously, but in the full knowledge of my colleagues
who then faked theatrical accusations. The nation is faced with acute economic
challenges under a failed leadership of Zanu PF. That must be our focus, but to
abuse my person this way is very unfortunate,” said Mudzuri.
anyone nor did I do it nicodemously, but in the full knowledge of my colleagues
who then faked theatrical accusations. The nation is faced with acute economic
challenges under a failed leadership of Zanu PF. That must be our focus, but to
abuse my person this way is very unfortunate,” said Mudzuri.
The MDC structures have been deeply divided on the
fate of Mudzuri with members in Masvingo particularly in Zaka, where Mudzuri
comes from, rallying behind him.
fate of Mudzuri with members in Masvingo particularly in Zaka, where Mudzuri
comes from, rallying behind him.
Inside sources told TellZim News that there are secret
meetings being held at night to propel Mudzuri to challenge Chamisa at the
congress.
meetings being held at night to propel Mudzuri to challenge Chamisa at the
congress.
The source identified some members within the MDC
Alliance provincial structures who are already consolidating Mudzuri strength
on the ground.
Alliance provincial structures who are already consolidating Mudzuri strength
on the ground.
“Last Sunday there was a meeting which was convened by
Silas Man’ono, Mudzuri’s personal assistant and Sydney Chisi was coordinating.
Other members who attend the meeting were Mushonga of Zaka Central, Ndekere of
Chivi South, Damba of Chivi North, Dumbu of Zaka West, Tichaona Chiminya, John
Nyika and David Charirwe of Masvingo Urban who is being propped to be the faction’s
provincial chairperson,” said the source.
Silas Man’ono, Mudzuri’s personal assistant and Sydney Chisi was coordinating.
Other members who attend the meeting were Mushonga of Zaka Central, Ndekere of
Chivi South, Damba of Chivi North, Dumbu of Zaka West, Tichaona Chiminya, John
Nyika and David Charirwe of Masvingo Urban who is being propped to be the faction’s
provincial chairperson,” said the source.
Mwonzora was also accused of having night meetings in
Masvingo but he rubbished the claims when TellZim News sought clarification
from him some time ago.
Masvingo but he rubbished the claims when TellZim News sought clarification
from him some time ago.
“It is within my constitutional rights to contest
Chamisa at congress so I don’t see why people are making a big deal out of it.
As for meetings, I have never been in secret meetings with anyone,” Mwonzora
told TellZim News then.
Chamisa at congress so I don’t see why people are making a big deal out of it.
As for meetings, I have never been in secret meetings with anyone,” Mwonzora
told TellZim News then.
Provincial chairperson James Gumbi could not be
reached for a comment as his mobile went unanswered.
reached for a comment as his mobile went unanswered.
Political analyst Dr Takavafira Zhou said Mudzuri
should introspect and walk the correct party line because there are a lot of
allegations against him.
should introspect and walk the correct party line because there are a lot of
allegations against him.
“The whole Mudzuri issue shows that the MDC Alliance
needs to sit down and work collectively. Mudzuri was wrong on his part because
he should have consulted his party before attending that meeting.
needs to sit down and work collectively. Mudzuri was wrong on his part because
he should have consulted his party before attending that meeting.
“Mudzuri has to tore the correct party line and
consult others before making such big moves. There is need for political
maturity within the MDC Alliance and the move by other parliamentarians to
confront Mudzuri in front of people was ill-advised. They should have followed
the correct party procedure and summoned Mudzuri for a hearing,” said Dr Zhou.
consult others before making such big moves. There is need for political
maturity within the MDC Alliance and the move by other parliamentarians to
confront Mudzuri in front of people was ill-advised. They should have followed
the correct party procedure and summoned Mudzuri for a hearing,” said Dr Zhou.
