The Sunday News
Tinomuda Chakanyuka, Senior Reporter
FRESH fissures have emerged within the Advocate Nelson Chamisa led MDC-T with some aspiring candidates reportedly unhappy with the party’s hazy candidate selection criteria, accusing party bigwigs of imposing candidates under the smokescreen of ‘consensus’.
The party says it will use two principals to select candidates, primary elections and consensus, in wards and constituencies where there are two or more candidates.
Consensus is when two or more candidates in one ward or constituency agree among themselves on who will stand on the party’s ticket in the elections.
Sources within the troubled party revealed that some party heavyweights were forcing consensus on aspiring candidates to elbow out perceived challengers and some instances impose their preferred candidates, before the selection process has started officially.
The sources said some party bigwigs were forcing some aspiring candidates to withdraw their curriculum vitas submitted for vetting.
Some of the aspiring candidates are reportedly not happy with the stance taken by the party to stop them from campaigning in wards and constituencies where the party has sitting representatives.
The candidates feel the stance is a ploy by the party hierarchy to protect sitting councilors, Members of Parliament and Senators from being challenged.
The sources said some aspiring candidates are ready to spoil the broth for the party ahead of the forthcoming election in the event that they are elbowed out of the race via disguised consensus.
“We are not clear on how candidates will be selected, whether the party will use primary elections, endorsement or consensus.
“It remains hazy and some of the aspiring candidates are not happy. They feel the lack of clarity on the selection criteria is a ploy to shut them out of the race,” said the source.
The sources added, “At some point there was mention of consensus, which most fear will be forced on them by party heavyweights who are keen on avoiding primary elections.
“The party has also barred aspiring candidates from campaigning in areas where there are sitting representatives. Basically what the party is saying the sitting councilors and MPs should not be challenged and will retain their seats.
One of the party bigwigs accused of elbowing out rivals and imposing candidates in the party’s Midlands province is the party’s National Deputy Organising Secretary and Mkoba legislator Mr Amos Chibaya.
Sources in the province revealed that Mr Chibaya elbowed out Mr Albert Chadoka who was eying the Mkoba seat and had submitted his curriculum vitae.
Mr Chibaya, the sources said, forced Mr Chadoka to have his CV moved from the National House of Assembly race to the provincial council.
The outspoken MP is also being accused of imposing his preferred candidates for council seats, among them his son Mr Gilson Chibaya who submitted his CV for ward 13 in Mkoba a seat the party has reserved for a female candidate.
Mr Chibaya is reportedly vying for the scalp of Gweru mayor councilor Charles Chikozho.
“Chibaya also wants the mayor to be toppled where he is pushing for Mrs Mutusva. He does not like Chikozho because he fears the mayor’s popularity will grow if he retains the seat and he can be a potential challenger in future,” said the source.
MDC-T acting chairperson Mr Morgen Komichi dismissed allegations of candidate imposition under the smokescreen of consensus.
Mr Komichi said the party will use primary elections and consensus to select candidates.
He admitted that the party had put an embargo on aspiring candidates barring them from campaigning in areas where there are sitting representatives.
“We shall be guided by two principles, primary elections and consensus. The process is yet to start but the dates will be announced soon.
“For consensus there will be an arbitrator to ensure that there is fairness and no imposition,” he said.
Added Mr Komichi, “Candidates submitted CVs but the party is yet to approve them. For the moment people have just registered interests but they can’t campaign before the party says so. This is not meant to prejudice anyone but to ensure that due process is followed.”
Mr Chibaya rubbished allegations against him imposing candidates and elbowing out rivals.
Regarding his son Gilson, Mr Chibaya said he had the right to register interest to participate in the election.
“Ward 13 is reserved for a woman so it’s unfortunate for him (Gilson). I can’t stop my son from submitting his CV. He is provincial member and it is his democratic right to aspire for office.
“Regarding Chokozho, he is my friend, more like a brother. There is no way I will turn against him, never. I think it’s all a smear campaign against me. The claims have no substance,” he said.
The MDC-T party has been rocked with divisions and recently the party’s deputy president Dr Thokozani Khupe was expelled together with organising secretary Mr Abdinico Bhebhe and national spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu.
