Douglas Mwonzora
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-MDC Alliance national
organising secretary Amos Chibaya last week blamed the party’s top leadership
for the party’s loss in Chiredzi West during the harmonised elections last
year, saying imposition of candidates which saw some disgruntled party members
contesting in the national election as independents had cost the party dearly.
organising secretary Amos Chibaya last week blamed the party’s top leadership
for the party’s loss in Chiredzi West during the harmonised elections last
year, saying imposition of candidates which saw some disgruntled party members
contesting in the national election as independents had cost the party dearly.
Chibaya addressed party
supporters at Chiredzi Civic Centre grounds on Sunday last where he attacked
some unnamed party leaders for manipulating the party’s primary elections last
year to suit their personal ambitions, much to the detriment of unity in the
district.
supporters at Chiredzi Civic Centre grounds on Sunday last where he attacked
some unnamed party leaders for manipulating the party’s primary elections last
year to suit their personal ambitions, much to the detriment of unity in the
district.
“We lost in Chiredzi West and you
don’t have to blame yourselves on that but you can blame party leaders. When we
visited Tshovani Stadium with President Nelson Chamisa, he ordered for a re-run
(of the primaries) but that was not done,” said Chibaya.
don’t have to blame yourselves on that but you can blame party leaders. When we
visited Tshovani Stadium with President Nelson Chamisa, he ordered for a re-run
(of the primaries) but that was not done,” said Chibaya.
Chiredzi West’s primary elections
were chaotic resulting in many candidates contesting as independent candidates.
were chaotic resulting in many candidates contesting as independent candidates.
Simbarashe Baloyi and UK-based
businessman John Manganye stood as independent candidates after Stanley Themba
won during the chaotic primaries.
businessman John Manganye stood as independent candidates after Stanley Themba
won during the chaotic primaries.
The parliamentary seat was later
won by Farai Musikavanhu of Zanu PF who had prevailed in his party’s own
chaotic primaries.
won by Farai Musikavanhu of Zanu PF who had prevailed in his party’s own
chaotic primaries.
At the meeting, Chiredzi district
chairperson James Kampota claimed that the opposition party’s Masvingo
provincial chairperson James Gumbi was responsible for manipulating Chiredzi
West structures.
chairperson James Kampota claimed that the opposition party’s Masvingo
provincial chairperson James Gumbi was responsible for manipulating Chiredzi
West structures.
“I personally presided over the
formation of structures in Ward 3 and everything went well there. Later on, Chairman
Gumbi called me and declared the structures null and void,” said Kampota.
formation of structures in Ward 3 and everything went well there. Later on, Chairman
Gumbi called me and declared the structures null and void,” said Kampota.
Chibaya said those who supported
independent candidates should not be barred from contesting for positions in
the new structures that he said will be formed next week.
independent candidates should not be barred from contesting for positions in
the new structures that he said will be formed next week.
He however said those who
contested as independents were not allowed to participate as they had
technically expelled themselves from the party.
contested as independents were not allowed to participate as they had
technically expelled themselves from the party.
“We don’t see any reason why
those who supported independent candidates must be barred from participating in
structures. Only those who stood as independent candidates should appeal to my
office stating why they stood as independent candidates and a committee will
decide whether to admit them back into the party or not,” Chibaya said.
those who supported independent candidates must be barred from participating in
structures. Only those who stood as independent candidates should appeal to my
office stating why they stood as independent candidates and a committee will
decide whether to admit them back into the party or not,” Chibaya said.
During a recent provincial caucus
in Bulawayo ahead of the MDC Alliance congress, party’s secretary general
Douglas Mwonzora blamed the double candidates debacle that the party suffered
in many constituencies on the then national chairperson Morgan Komichi.
in Bulawayo ahead of the MDC Alliance congress, party’s secretary general
Douglas Mwonzora blamed the double candidates debacle that the party suffered
in many constituencies on the then national chairperson Morgan Komichi.
