By Gift Mashoko
Lawyer, human rights activist and politician, David Coltart has revealed that MDC Alliance Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora should be allowed to contest for the MDC Alliance presidency, highlighting that Mwonzora is not a ZANU PF member or agent as peddled by MDC leader Nelson Chamisa `s supporters.
In an interview with CNBC recently, Coltart said, "I know Douglas Mwonzora very well. I respect him because he has done a very good job as the Secretary General and if we are a democratic party, anyone must be allowed to contest for any position.”
Coltart went on to say that he respected MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, highlighting that Mwonzora was not a ZANU PF member as he is being accused of by some MDC members.
"It is critically important that we approach that conflict in a mature fashion. We should stop this behaviour whereby each time someone puts his or her head up above the pulpit to challenge a position, he or she is accused of being a Zanu-PF agent. I don't believe in the allegations against Douglas and I hope the rhetoric will end.
"However, I think that Nelson Chamisa has revived the party and he enjoys grassroots support, hence I back him. But Douglas has the right to contest too," said Coltart.
Netizens have been comparing the way that presidential hopefuls are treated in both Zanu PF and MDC.
MDC supporters have been baying for the blood of Mwonzora for harbouring presidential ambitions.
On the other Netizens say that Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Fortune Chasi has not received any attack from fellow Zanu PF embers for his alleged bid to stand a Zanu PF presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
However, Chasi vehemently denied harboring any presidential ambitions and he distanced himself from the campaign poster that has become viral on social media.
Harare Sun has on its Twitter page posted, “Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Fortune Chasi receives no insults from Zanu PF. Over the weekend, MDC supporters launched a spirited campaign for Fortune Chasi to contest for party Presidency. There were no Zanu PF supporters who hurled insults compared to MDC insults directed at Mwonzora over his intention to contest.”
Relatedly, cyber troll, Vashe Chimusoro tweeted, “One fundamental difference between MDC and ZANU PF supporters on social media: When Mwonzora was said to be a good candidate, many MDC folks hurled insults at him. When Chasi was said to be a good candidate for 2023; life just went on. It is what it is.”
