By Staff reporter
Factionalism within the embattled MDC continues unabated as the clock continues to count down to the elective congress whose date has been controversially set for October next year.
The bickering is manifesting in the disorderly meetings that are shunned by rival camps, depending on who calls for the meeting. Jeering and hecklings are the order of the day at most of the meetings as members fight in the corners of their preferred horses for the 2023 elections.
The party’s secretary general, Douglas Mwonzora has shown interest to wrestle the presidency from the incumbent, Nelson Chamisa. Harvard trained engineer who is the co-vice president of the party, Elias Mudzuri has also shown ambitions for the office, a desire soon to cost him his head.
Factionalism reared its ugly face at a recent Harare Provincial Assembly meeting addressed by the province’s chairperson, Eric Murai at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House. Only 30 members turned up for the hot-blooded meeting which was characterised by chaos as members threw abusive missiles at each other.
Amid jeers and catcalls, Murai urged members to start mobilising support for 2023. The call comes at a time the opposition has been criticising Zanu PF for endorsing President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the presidential candidate for the 2023 elections. Political analyst, Mukudzei Chizema deemed the move as a brazen political hypocrisy.
Murai, who is a pro-Chamisa kingpin, directed that congress must start with the restructuring that must begining from ward level. Sensing that the restructuring exercising could be a ploy to flush out anti-Chamisa elements, pro-Mwonzora members objected demanding instead that structure audits and verifications must precede everything.
“Murai went on to accuse DZ (Dzivarasekwa) House of Assembly member, Edwin Mushoriwa of neglecting constituency and not providing transport for demonstrations,” said a source.
Mushoriwa is pro-Mwonzora. He was also accused of not attending provincial meetings without apologies.
The provincial organising secretary, Rhino Mashaya was booed, with some shouting, “mutengesi mutengesi.” It took the intervention of the party’s deputy chair for the youth assembly, Shakespeare Mukoyi to bring sanity to the meeting which had now resembled a beer hall gathering.
Mwonzora enjoys support from a significant chunk of the MDC support base. Insiders say he has an upper hand in such provinces as Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central.
