HARARE- Serious jockeying for party positions in the Movement for Democratic Change has intensified ahead of the party's electoral congress set for April 28 in Bulawayo.
Party President, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Secretary General, Tendai Biti, who is the Finance will not be challenged, according to sources within the party.
Vice President, Thokozani Khupe, who is one of the two deputy prime ministers will also not be challenged though senior party officials hinted that party deputy spokesperson and Member of Parliament for Bulawayo East, Thabitha Khumalo could brew a shocker by getting nominated for the post of vice president. Norman Mabhena, is also reportedly eying the post of vice president.
Another looming bruising encounter will see incumbent organising secretary, Elias Mudzuri, locking horns with his deputy, Morgan Komichi. Komichi, is perceived by many in the MDC as a trusted lieutenant of his namesake, Morgan Tsvangirai while the MDC leader is said to be uncomfortable with Mudzuri’s perceived power ambitions.
“Mudzuri was allocated the pressure cooker job at the ministry energy and power development ministry which allienated him from the party structures, leaving Komichi to seize the opportunity to consolidate his power base. Mudzuri also spent quite some time in the USA and that opportunity has been used by his deputy to set up structures which are likely to be loyal to him,” said a senior MDC official.
ICTs minister, Nelson Chamisa, who was also reportedly eyeing the post of organising secretary is reported to have been ‘convinced’ by fellow senior party officials that he should stay as party spokesperson in order to counter the propaganda of Zanu PF which has a vast array of eloquent speakers like Rugare Gumbo, George Charamba, Webster Shamu, Jonathan Moyo and Chris Mutsvangwa.
“The people who want to be spokespersons include Masvingo Central legislator, Tongai Matutu and deputy justice minister Obert Gutu. The feeling is that they need to understudy Chamisa before they can take key party positions such as being spokesperson. There is a feeling that journalist turned politician, Luke Tamborinyoka, the Premier’s spokesperson could be roped in ahead of Matutu and Gutu if Chamisa insists on going for the organising secretary’s portfolio.
Party chairman, Lovemore Moyo, according to insiders, wants to retain his post with former women’s assembly boss, Lucia Matibenga reportedly wanting the same post. Her advisors, according to other party sources are advising her to take on the current womens’s assembly head, Theresa Makone, another Tsvangirai favourite. “The feeling is that she has better chances of winning her post because many people sympathise with her after she was muscled out of the party a few years ago.”
Labour and Social Services minister, Paurina Mpariwa may also be a dark horse for the women’s assembly as she together with Evelyn Masaiti have backers for the post that is currently held by Makone. Thamsanqa Mahlangu is reportedly eying the deputy organising secretarys post, while Amos Chibaya, MP for Mkoba, has his eye on position of vice chair.
Roy Bennett, is likely to be retained as treasurer general, but his deputy, Elton Mangoma is reportedly preparing to spring a surprise, with his backers arguing that exiled Bennett would not add value while exiled and would rather deputise his current junior.
Post published in: News