MDC-T acting president Thokozani Khupe plans to approach
the Supreme Court to seek extension of her tenure at the helm of the opposition
party without going to the extra-ordinary congress due to "circumstances
beyond her control," her party has said.
Party deputy spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said with 10
days remaining to the congress scheduled on July 31, it had become clear to the
MDC-T that they would not be able to gather 5 000 delegates in Harare to elect
a new leader who would replace the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
"The standing committee has called for the
extra-ordinary congress, we have tried everything humanly possible but the
police and the health officials have said we can't proceed," he said.
"We have decided to put science ahead of politics and,
therefore, we have instructed our lawyers to approach the Supreme Court to seek
a deferment of the congress date."
Party structures, mostly those loyal to secretary-general
Douglas Mwonzora, who is seen as the top contender for the presidency, have been
pushing for the congress to go ahead.
Fungai Chiposi, who
backs Mwonzora and works in the MDC-T information department, had indicated
that nominations for the presidency would start after the standing committee
meeting held yesterday, with Harare province leading the process.
Phugeni said it was not the party position and could not
give details on when the congress would be held if the courts grant the
anticipated extension.
"We can't tell you the date because we don't want to
have a situation where we give you dates and then we fail again, so we don't
have any dates so far," he said.
Phugeni also said the MDC -T had also prepared names for
the replacement of MDC Alliance legislators fired from Parliament by Mwonzora
for backing Nelson Chamisa.
"We have the names and this was not done with the
involvement of the president. She left it in the hands of the national chairman
(Morgen Komichi) and the women's assembly chairperson. Senate provincial
assemblies have been asked to make the nominations," Phugeni said.
The party was yet to release the names by the time of going
to print last night amid allegations that Khupe had roped in her loyalists who
lost in the 2018 general elections to enter Parliament through the backdoor.
Newsday
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