By Zivanai Dhewa
MDC Harare Provincial Youth Assembly Chairman, Stanley Manyenga intimidated District Chairpersons at a meeting at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House (MRT) recently, to nominate Lovemore Chinoputsa to be the National Youth Assembly Chairperson, the Harare Post can reveal.
Nine District Assemblies held their elective congresses last week where it is reported that most of them had nominated Denis Juru as their preferred National Youth Assembly Chairperson.
“We are clear as Harare Province that our preferred candidate is Chinoputsa,” declared Manyenga.
A source within the MDC Alliance said Manyenga strongly condemned Juru’s nomination by the District Chairpersons, claiming that he used money to buy votes. Further allegations laid on Juru are that he gave US$1000 to the District Chairpersons to share amongst themselves and an extra $100 each through EcoCash.
Manyenga, the source said, further threatened to issue a strong worded warning letter against the District Chairpersons. The District Chairpersons, however, dismissed his threats querying why he did not disqualify Juru if he knew he was vote buying.
Manyenga continued to throw a volley of threats which resulted in all the District Chairpersons giving in to his demands. As a result, the province nominated Chinoputsa as the province’s choice.
Other nominations made are Deputy Chairperson Jabulani Mthunzi; Gift Ostalbs Siziba Secretary General; Bridget Nyandoro Deputy Secretary General; Vimbai Mavherudze Treasurer; Michael Madome Deputy Treasurer; Denford Gadziore Organising Secretary; Ralph Mawonei Deputy Organising Secretary; Womberai Nhende Secretary for Information; Fanuel Chamwaita Deputy Secretary for Information and Costa Mhande Harare Provincial Representative.
Manyenga declared that there should be a co-option of people who came second in the elections and professional youths between the ages of 18 to 25years from Civil Society Organisations. His suggestion caused a stir as it was seen as a ploy to co-opt Nelson Chamisa’s allies especially those who lost.
Throughout the restructuring exercises, the MDC party has been marred by imposition of candidates and violence, all meant to assert Chamisa’s position within the party.
Chinoputsa and Manyenga are Chamisa’s close allies, whilst Juru is said to be aligned to the Mwonzora camp.
