The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Kwekwe Correspondent
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, reportedly had a torrid time from party executive members in the Midlands province last week, who wanted to get clarification on the alliance which the party has formed with other parties ahead of next year’s general elections.
Mr Tsvangirai, allegedly without consulting party structures, entered into an alliance with MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube, People Democratic Party led by Mr Tendai Biti and Transform Zimbabwe led by Mr Jacob Ngarivhume to form MDC-Alliance.
The move by Mr Tsvangirai irked a number of top party officials including his deputy Dr Thokozani Khupe, chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo and organising secretary Mr Abednico Bhebhe. Party officials told Sunday News that when Mr Tsvangirai met the Midlands executive members in Gokwe, he was grilled with members expressing dissatisfaction on the alliance.
During the closed door meeting, Mr Tsvangirai was reportedly at pains explaining the provisions of the alliance to provincial members who demanded transparency.
“Some members accused him of being selfish as he is mainly focused on satisfying personal interests at the expense of the party,” revealed committee member who preferred anonymity.
Among the hot issues, according to the executive member, was that of imposition of candidates in certain constituencies by Mr Tsvangirai.
“Most members were disgruntled by the imposition of candidates. It ended up consuming most of the time as the president (Tsvangirai) failed to clarify why he is allowing other parties, especially PDP, to take most of the seats targeted by our candidates,” said a party executive who attended the meeting.
Of particular interest, according to the executive member, was why Mr Tsvangirai was said to have allowed Mr Settlement Chikwinya to contest for Mbizo seat ahead of party members when he had jumped ship in the past. Mr Chikwinya was recalled from Parliament in 2015 after he jumped ship from MDC-T joining PDP.
Members stood in solidarity with Nkayi legislator Mr Bhebhe whose seat is also reportedly earmarked for a PDP member whose name could not be established. MDC-T Midlands provincial deputy spokesperson, Mr Willard Somerai confirmed the meeting saying the agenda was to update the province on the ongoing coalition talks.
“The meeting was not personal, the party is bigger than personal interests. The president wanted to give feedback as well as to update the province on the coalition process that is still underway,” Mr Somerai said.
On imposition of candidates, Mr Somerai said the party was yet to officially open the campaign season, adding members can only start jostling for positions after the campaigning season officially opens.
