HARARE - Battle lines have been drawn between the incumbent MDC-T Youth Assembly Vice Chairman Albert Chibaya and his Secretary General Solomon Madzore for the coveted chairmanship post.Current chair, Thamusanqa Mahlangu, steps down just before congress at the end of the month. The Zimbabwean is reliably informed that Mahlangu, who took over from Nelson Chamisa, is aspiring for a higher post. While Chibaya could not be reached as he is in Canada on business, Madzore confirmed that he was vying for the influential post – widely regarded as a launch pad to political influence.
Madzore said there was no room for dirty mouthing ahead of the congress. He has already started canvassing for support, but described Chibaya as a comrade in arms, and expressed his willingness to work with him as a deputy. I have no problems with Chibaya if he wants to be my deputy then I am fine with that, said Madzore.
On Mahlangu, he said the assembly would do everything possible to ensure a good posting for him. We are going to find a soft landing for chairman Mahlangu. We are not going to let our chair go to a lower level, he said. Meanwhile, the powerful Youth Assembly has declared its support for Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Thokozani Khupe, and also endorsed the candidatures of Secretary General Tendai Biti and spokesperson Nelson Chamisa.
It did not guarantee support for current chairman Lovemore Moyo or womens supremo Teresa Makone. Former Womens chair Lucia Matibenga is reportedly vying for the post, and with Makone and her husband Ian loosing ground in the district and provincial polls there are no guarantees that she will retain her influential position.
Khupe, who is also the deputy prime minister, is being challenged by Thabita Khumalo, currently Chamisas deputy, while Makone is said to be facing a stiff challenge from the MDC-T chief whip in the Senate and Mabutweni lawmaker Gladys Dube.
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