By Staff reporter
Internal squabbles within the MDC continue as the elective congress draws near, The Harare Post has learnt.
There has been an attempt by warring factions to manipulate the party constitution ahead of the do-or-die congress that will spell the end of some senior officials’ political career in the MDC Alliance.
Members who subscribe to Chamisa’s faction are interpreting the constitution as to mean that only the top four positions are to be contested at the congress. These positions are president, vice president, Chairman and vice chairman.
However, Douglas Mwonzora’s faction insists that all posts are elective.
An MDC member, Kudzai Rangarirai on his Twitter handle posted, “The MDC Constitution as amended in 2014 clearly states that all National Standing Committee members will be elected at Congress. I am not sure which Constitution was being referred to by a member of the People`s Democratic Party Jacob Mafume when he said only the top four positions will be contested.”
Rangarirai presented what the Constitution states about the election of the Standing Committee on his Twitter handle. He indicated that the National Standing Committee shall compose of:
- The President
- National Deputy Presidents
- The National Chairperson
- The Deputy National Chairperson
- The Secretary General
- The Treasurer General
- National Organising Secretary
- Secretary for Information and Publicity
- Chairperson of the Youth Assembly
- Chairperson of the Women`s Assembly and
- The Secretary for Elections who shall be appointed by the President.
However, MDC Kuwadzana West Legislator, Charlton Hwende who is among the people supporting Chamisa refuted this indicating that this is not in line with the MDC Constitution. Hwende is of the view that only the four top positions should be contested and the rest are Presidential appointments, yet the Constitution entails that The Secretary for Elections is the only person to be appointed by the President.
Hwende tweeted, “This is not the MDC Constitution stop spreading fake news.”
In one of his tweet, Hwende said, “In terms of the current MDC Constitution which we amended at the last Congress, only the following posts will be contested 1. President 2. Vice Presidents 3.National Chairmen 4. Vice National Chairman. The rest will be appointments made by the new NEC after the Congress.”
Chamisa himself on 23 February at Mkoba rally also indicated that all the positions are supposed to be contested according to the party`s Constitution.
It is alleged that, Chamisa supporters fear that he might lose to Mwonzora since he has a large number of supporters in the structures.
Panic has gripped the party with some already vowing that they will not accept any results other than those that are in favour of Chamisa. Some members have suggested that Chamisa should form a break-away party if he loses the election.
There are unconfirmed reports that Chamisa visited some prophets in Ghana to enhance his chances of winning the election. He is said to have left with Joseph Madzivire, son to AFM church president, Aspher Madzivire, aboard a Kenyan Airways.
MDC Alliance spokespersons told the media that Chamisa had gone on a diplomatic offensive, where he is set to meet African leaders. However, he did not take anyone from the party with him, raising suspicion that he did not go for party business.
Sources within the family say Chamisa went to attend a Regional Network for African Pastors in Africa. Chamisa is a trained Pastor. However, investigations by this publication reveal that there is no meeting of that sort anywhere.
Chamisa is alleged to frequent some spiritual mediums in Domboshava where he is usually accompanied by MDC Mashonaland Central Organising Secretary,
