By Christopher Makaza

The on-going MDC restructuring exercise countrywide is failing to serve its purpose of strengthening  the opposition party as some senior party officials are imposing doggy structures along factional lines, positioning themselves ahead of the party`s May elective congress.

A party insider told Harare Post that the restructuring exercise has further divided the party and party senior officials who are positioning and aligning themselves either to the current party leader, Nelson Chamisa or the party`s Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora.

Chamisa`s deputy, Elias Mudzuri is also likely to join the presidential race.

“Most constituencies across the country have not yet submitted their finished structures whose submissions were long overdue. Those responsible for the restructuring exercises are citing too much interference from the party`s senior officials who want to protect their interests ahead of the congress.

 “This restructuring exercise is not serving its rightful purpose of strengthening the party ahead of 2023 election but is now being used as a platform to create structures of congress delegates to secure their positions,” she said.

Parallel structures have been created in most provinces including Harare, Mashonaland East, West and Bulawayo which is likely going to cause chaos at congress where there is a likelihood that both created structures will attend.

In Mashonaland West province, districts like Mhangura, Makonde, Hurungwe West, East and North among others failed to submit their structures to the party`s provincial offices because of chaos and lack of transparency in the restructuring exercise.

Most of the districts which submitted their structures in time were, however, told to re-do their structures as they lacked relevant signatures of their authors.

Mashonaland West Provincial Chairman, Ralph Magunje is facing competition from the party`s provincial Organising Secretary, Wilson Makanyaire who is allegedly sympathetic to Mwonzora. Makanyaire is backed by disgruntled MDC members who include Chegutu Mayor, Henry Muchabaiwa who was suspended from the party after defying Chamisa`s directive that he steps down as Mayor to pave way for his preferred candidate.

Magunje has reportedly deployed 22 teams across the province to oversee District Assembly Congresses, a move that is meant to strengthen Chamisa ahead of the congress.