Rudo Saungweme
The MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has taken an early lead in the district congresses, a victory that has been attributed to gross manipulation of the electoral process.
Out of 158 completed districts, Chamisa bagged 141 whilst MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora’s camp prevailed in 17 districts.
In Manicaland, Chamisa got six out of the eight districts that had completed their congresses. The other two districts, that is Buhera North and Makoni Central went to Mwonzora faction.
An MDC insider revealed that the seats won by Mwonzora faction was a demonstration of how some MDC supporters are fed up with Chamisa.
In Mashonaland Central, Mwonzora camp won in Rushinga District, while the other three districts were taken by Chamisa.
“Rushinga district is bitter because their District Assembly Chairman, Tobias Tapera was barred from contesting the 2018 election despite him winning the primary elections,” the source revealed.
In Mashonaland East, out of the 10 district congresses, nine were taken by pro-Chamisa faction. Pro-Mwonzora faction won Chikomba Central district.
Most of the MDC district congresses had been marred by inter-faction violence. Other district congresses ended prematurely due to violence which was instigated by supporters aligned to Chamisa.
A source in the MDC party also revealed that Chegutu West and Masvingo North district assemblies recently failed to hold their district congresses because of factional fights.
“Chegutu West and Masvingo North district assemblies recently failed to hold their district congresses because of factional fights. For Chegutu, it was the second time the congress was aborted over candidature of suspended Chegutu West district Chairperson Gift Konjana.
“About 100 members gathered for the election at Chegutu Hall where Midlands North Provincial Youth Assembly Secretary Muchineripi Chinyanganya announced that Konjana was barred from contesting, resulting in Konjana`s supporters who were the majority rejecting the announcement.
“They started singing and chanting slogans “Tozvidira Jecha,” revealed the source.
Konjana is apparently a pro-Mwonzora member. The reaction of Konjana’s supporters irked Shepherd Makore who is backed by Provincial Deputy Secretary for Information and Publicity for the district Chairmanship. Makore`s supporters confronted Konjana`s resulting in violence.
Analyst say an attempt to bar Konjana will hit a brick wall as he commands more support.
Another source from Masvingo confided in this publication that in Masvingo North, members aligned to the camp of aspiring Masvingo Provincial Chairman, Tongai Matutu grabbed and tore ballot papers.
The congress which was coordinated by Simon Ziki, the Provincial Organising Secretary and Peter Chigaba, the Provincial Administrator, featured John Chawatama a pro-James Gumbi/Chamisa camp and Samson Ndadhya, a pro-Matutu/Mwonzora camp.
Chawatama was announced the winner with 188 votes against 88 for Ndadhya, a result that was disputed by Matutu camp. The later accused Ziki and Chigaba of manipulating the process at the advantage of Chawatama.
The source said the Matutu camp alleged that voters were bussed from outside the district. This, the source said, resulted in Matutu`s camp grabbing the ballot papers and tore them.
