MDC leader Nelson Chamisa faces a delicate balancing act of
making critical appointments to serve in his top party decision-making body,
the national standing committee, amid jostling and lobbying by mainly those who
lost at the elective congress held in Gweru last month.
Critical posts that need to be filled include party
spokesperson, organising secretary, secretary for elections, international
relations and secretary for health.
Jostling has already started in the opposition party, with
Chamisa’s top allies, who include former youth assembly leader Happymore
Chidziva, current spokesperson Jacob Mafume, ex-organiser Amos Chibaya, former
vice-president Morgen Komichi and losing vice-presidental candidate Lilian
Timveous waiting in the wings for appointments.
Insiders say Chamisa faces a daunting task driven by the
desire to promote unity in the party after a divisive congress, which left some of his faithful smarting from the bitter
wounds of defeat.
“There are those in the party bitter after losing to
members who once left the party. They think the party rewarded sellouts and
these can be pacified by being appointed into the standing committee, but if
they miss the bus, they could work against Chamisa,” a source said.
Chamisa also has to balance the equation by making
appointments that add value to the party ahead of the 2023 general elections,
which could make or break him, another source said.
But the youthful opposition leader said he was not under
any pressure because the MDC was not a party of positions, but proposition.
“This is a party of the people and it will make
appointments and deployments through the national council. This is going to
happen soon after a number of issues have been looked into to ensure we build
the best team going forward,” he said.
Insiders said Mafume is likely to be retained as party
spokesmen, although there is some discontent that former members of Tendai
Biti’s People’s Democratic Party could have taken a lion’s share in the
just-ended congress.
“Mafume remains the best candidate so far. His history with
the media and the fact that he has handled the portfolio with skill will favour
him. Politics aside, he is our best candidate,” another source said.
Tapiwa Mashakada is likely to be appointed deputy
treasurer-general, while there is a major push to elevate Happymore Chidziva to
the position of organising secretary.
Chamisa has the challenge of dealing with former
secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, who many are not keen of him being part of
the standing committee.
Komichi, who had also been elevated to vice-president, is
another difficult call, because any appointment would be a demotion to his
political life, which appeared to be on the rise.
Having lost to Biti and Welshman Ncube in the race to
vice-presidency, Komichi has said he was hurt and needed healing.
“I will not leave the party. I will stand by my young man
(Chamisa) and serve in whatever capacity I will have been appointed. I am hurt,
yes, but I need your help so that I can heal,” Komichi said.
Chidziva said he would be appointed to a suitable position
by the man he helped raise.
As youth leader, he was instrumental in defending the
appointment of Chamisa to party VP and his eventual appointment as party
president.
Also waiting in line for appointments are former
treasurer-general Theresa Makone, Mbizo legislator Settlement Chikwinya, Murisi
Zwizwai, backbencher Jameson Timba and former presidential spokesperson Luke
Tambarinyoka.
Congress expanded the standing committee to include deputy
secretaries and all secretaries appointed after congress. Newsday
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