INTERNAL strife within the main opposition MDC Alliance is
escalating following allegations that its president Nelson Chamisa and his
supporters violated sections of their own constitution in a bid to cling to
power.
Insiders itching for an early congress, where Chamisa is
likely to face a challenge for the presidency, said the recent declaration that
the party will hold its congress in October is a violation of the constitution
and perpetuation of dictatorship by power-hungry individuals.
“The congress of the MDC must be held in February next
year. This is in line with section 9.21.1 of our constitution, anything else is
a perpetuation of dictatorship and violation of the tenants of the constitution
which they claim to uphold,” an official who declined identification, said.
According to the MDC constitution, following the death or
resignation of the president, an election to fill the position should be held
no later than 12 months.
“In the event of the death or resignation of the president,
the deputy president assumes the role of acting president, pending the holding
of an extraordinary congress that shall be held to elect a new president, which
extraordinary congress to be held no later than a year from the death or
resignation of the former president,” the MDC constitution read. Party
vice-president Morgen Komichi, who is fighting from Chamisa’s corner, accused
those within the party pushing for an early congress as seeking to destabilise
the party.
“That view can only be propagated by CIOs (Central
Intelligence Organisation operatives) and Zanu PF agents in the party, because
proper members of our party respect the organs of the MDC, they respect the
national executive and the national council and these made clear resolutions of
what should be done. MDC members know that our congress will be held in October
and will not mislead anyone,” he said.
Chamisa, who claims to have won the July 30 presidential
elections is mobilising his supporters for a demonstration to oust President
Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Komichi said the “sideshow” was being funded to side-track
Chamisa from pulling the party supporters from reclaiming victory, which they
allege was stolen with the help of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
“Nobody is resisting congress, but it will be held when
it’s supposed to be held, and we are not going to be dictated upon by CIOs who
want to side-track us from reclaiming the people’s victory. Those who feel they
can stand for presidency can still do that in October even after we reclaim the
people’s victory,” Komichi said.
Chamisa’s ascendency to the top post in the opposition
party has been mired in controversy after he was accused of snatching power
from former deputy president Thokozani Khupe who claims she was the legitimate
heir to the late Morgan Tsvangirai. She has since formed her own MDC-T party
and lost in the July elections.
Party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora is reportedly a
dark horse for the post of presidency and previously beat Chamisa in the race
for his current position four years ago. Vice-president Elias Mudzuri is also
said to be in the mix for the presidency after he was outflanked by Chamisa
when Tsvangirai died. Newsday
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