By Rudo Saungweme
…as congress draws closer
As the MDC’s make or break national congress draws closer, the battle for position continues with violence and chaos characterising and marring the mini congresses being held across the country.
In most districts, congresses are being aborted prematurely after violence erupts. The violence is being driven by disagreements over venues and procedures. For instances, some arguments revolves around voting procedures, wherein some members demand that they vote by way of raising hands while others want a secret vote.
Selection of venues has also been the bone of contention as most of the elections are being held at homes of interested parties.
Redcliff district assembly congress which was supposed to be held in Torwood Hall was aborted due to threats of violence.
One member of a vicious terror group, Democratic Resistant Committee (DRC), Munyaradzi Sibanda threatened to assault senior members who were presiding over the district congress. Those who were threatened are Blessing Chebundo, Settlement Chikwinya and Kwekwe Ward 8 Councillor, Shadreck Tobaiwa over manipulation of votes in favour of outgoing District assembly Chairperson Norman Tavengwa.
Recently in Marondera Central, the district assembly congress was also aborted following clashes between Nelson Chamisa and MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora factions. The meeting which had 600 people from 12 wards ended prematurely after party members began to exchange blows and throwing all sorts of weapons at each other, destroying party property in the process.
Pro-Chamisa members argued at the meeting that the Provincial Chairperson Piniel Denga`s presence was unwarranted interference of the lower congress.
Violence was exacerbated after a pro- Mwonzora candidate Dominic Mutangira realized that he was losing to pro- Chamisa counterpart Witness Muzavazi. Mutangira had to mobilise youth aligned to him to seize ballot boxes for 9 contested constituencies. Chamisa`s camp then retreated and seized ballot boxes for Chairmanship which they counted alone and declared Pro-Chamisa, Muzavazi as the winner with 207 votes against 103 of Mutangira.
Pro-Chamisa faction then ran to report to Dombotombo police station alleging that Mwonzora`s group has destroyed party property.
Meanwhile, political analysts have highlighted that the recurrence of violence and the chaotic conduct of elections is likely to be witnessed in their upcoming national congress.
