THE MDC-T elections directorate is reportedly struggling to
finalise its candidate selection process and has already missed its Tuesday
deadline to complete the exercise.
This comes amid reports that some sitting MPs were refusing
to have their seats contested. MDC-T spokesperson, Thabitha Khumalo chose to
downplay the matter yesterday, saying the vetting of potential candidates was
an ongoing exercise and the party has set a new deadline of April 25.
“The election directorate was mandated by the national
council to carry out this exercise and after that they will compile their list,
which will be submitted to the president. The deadline for everything is April
25,” she said.
A source said the directorate agreed that all sitting MPs
should not be contested, but elections director, Murisi Zwizwai rejected the
claims, saying: “No such resolution was made. Everyone will be contested as far
as I know.”
MDC-T acting chairman, Morgen Komichi said the party’s
intelligence system was closely monitoring the process to ensure they were no
infiltrators.
“If anybody is saying there is a moratorium on the holding
of primary elections in constituencies with sitting MPs, they are basically
putting the cart before the horse. It’s just speculation by individuals, who
think they may not make it through the vetting process by our security.
“We are careful not to be infiltrated by the enemy, hence,
we have a very elaborate vetting procedure. The people, who will vote in our
primary elections are members of the party, as well as all structures,” he
said.
Komichi said the MDC-T primaries will be open to all
card-carrying members with a voters’ roll already in place for the process.
Among the contentious seats that were reportedly settled by
the election directorate is the Harare West pitting sitting legislator, Jessie
Majome against Joanna Mamombe.
Another fierce fight looms in Kuwadzana East, which fell
vacant following Nelson Chamisa’s recent elevation to party leader and
presidential candidate. MDC-T youth leader, Shakespeare Mukoyi and deputy
treasurer-general, Charlton Hwende are both vying for the seat.
In Manicaland, reports have it that Musikavanhu MP, Prosper
Mutseyami was eyeing Chikanga-Dangamvura constituency, which the party’s women
boss, Lynette Karenyi is also targeting.
“The idea is to get consensus, but if that fails, there is
nothing that we can do except call for primaries. In some cases, especially,
for women, disputes are easily solved by the proportional representation
clause, but it is not easy to negotiate. However, the majority of sitting MPs
and councillors will not be contested, as there is consensus that they must
continue,” a member of the party’s elections directorate, said.
MDC-T secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora has reportedly
dumped Nyanga constituency, where he was trounced in the 2013 election and is
now set to be appointed Harare senator.
Zvizwai (Harare Central), Amos Chibaya (Mkoba) and several
other top party officials, among them youth leader, Happymore Chidziva
(Highfield West), who facilitated Chamisa’s ascendancy to power are reportedly
not being contested.
Khumalo will go for proportional representation.
Khumalo said she had surrendered her Bulawayo East seat to
the MDC Alliance and is eyeing a new seat under the party’s proportional
representation quota. Newsday
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