THOUSANDS of MDC supporters slept in the open for the
entire duration of their party congress in Gweru at the weekend due to lack of
financial resources, amid allegations that the Zanu PF government had
“deliberately” withheld money due to the opposition movement under the
Political Parties Finance Act.
Outgoing MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora accused
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of deliberately trying to sabotage
the MDC congress by withholding the party’s funding despite making a commitment
to disburse the money by last Wednesday.
“I can confirm that government did not disburse our funds.
This was totally unfair,” Mwonzora said, equating the move to a financial
warfare against his party.
“We budgeted for this congress with that money in mind.
Over the years, when there is a congress and the money has not come, we would
make a case with the government. In this case, I personally went to make a case
with the Justice minister (Ziyambi Ziyambi) and his permanent secretary
(Virginia Mabiza), they actually promised us that they were going to pay by
Wednesday last week, but the money did not come,” he said.
Government through the Political Parties Finance Act, funds
all parties with representation of 5% or more in Parliament.
The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC was entitled to almost $4,8
million which it was eyeing to fund its congress, including paying for
delegates’ accommodation.
“We are talking of money in the region of $4,8 million and
this congress was actually going to cost us less. What it means is that we were
then unable to accommodate our people decently, but you see the resilience of
our people, some of them did not have good meals, but there are still here,
because these people love their party, love their change and they have to work
for their change,” he said.
But Ziyambi denied meeting MDC officials to discuss the
issue of the funds, accusing the opposition party of trying to find a scapegoat
for its failures.
“I am not aware of the visit. In any case, even Zanu PF has
not received its allocation,” Ziyambi said.
In the chilling cold spell that ravaged Gweru over the days
of congress and the spiking prices of basic commodities, many MDC activists
slept in the open at Ascot Stadium and vowed to keep the vigil until it closed.
Delegate Jairos Vemba told NewsDay that he had sold some of
his livestock to fund his stay in Gweru.
“We are a party with no resources, but we have a big heart.
This party is ours and we will not tire, we will fund this party with our sweat
and tears,” he said.
Chamisa told NewsDay that there has been a protracted
warfare against his party.
“Zanu PF has been trying by every turn to bring us down,
but this is a people’s project, it will not fail because someone wants to
withhold State funding or target the party leadership. Our people are resilient
and committed to ensuring that the MDC, as a vehicle for change, delivers,” he
said.
Up until late last night, elections for members of the MDC
standing committee, which includes top posts of vice-president,
treasurer-general, secretary-general, chairperson and vice-chairpersons, were
still ongoing.
Tension was high, especially as Mwonzora mounted a fight
back against Charlton Hwende in the secretary-general’s race.
Mwonzora has mounted a brave campaign despite being
labelled a sell-out. He marched on with his team, declaring loyalty to party,
leadership and cause.
Chamisa could be heard consoling Hwende who appeared to be
suffering post-electoral stress.
“Don’t stress much about elections, remember my time when I
was defeated for the secretary-general position, I was stressed. I wanted to go
to the rural areas because my attitude has always been that these are people’s
choices,” Chamisa told a visibly distraught Hwende.
Insiders are, however, tipping Welshman Ncube and Tendai
Biti to land the vice-presidents’ posts.
However, Lillian Timveous’ supporters were pushing hard to
ensure that Linnet Karenyi-Kore does not grab the female vice-president’s slot.
David Coltart appeared set to land the treasurer-general’s
position, while Thabitha Khumalo was almost assured of the party chairperson
post. For the vice-presidency, Job Sikhala appeared at ease, but his challenger
Happymore Chidziva kept him on his toes.
Candidates cited a number of irregularities, saying they
never got time to inspect the voters’ roll and feared that names of their
supporters could be missing.
Mwonzora alleged they could have been some ballot stuffing
after one voter was caught with two ballots.
Chamisa, who has been blighted with legitimacy issues after
he was jettisoned to power by the party’s national council to take over from
the late Morgan Tsvangirai, said he is now preparing his party for a major
showdown with Zanu PF.
Speaking to the media just after pushing a victory lap to a
rousing reception by party delegates, Chamisa said the MDC was building a
continental giant.
“We are unstoppable, there is no going back. This is a
massive political party, a party of the people. We are grateful to (the late)
Dr Richard Morgan Tsvangirai, Dumiso Dabengwa and many others who contributed
to this great project. I am sure you have seen the provinces and we pray to God
and we wait for them to vote and pray that the best candidates will win,” he
said.
Having lost many elections to Zanu PF, amid allegations of
rigging, Chamisa said the party was going through a transformative stage,
especially to ensure the they match the ruling party pound for pound. Nesday
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