by Innocent Mujeri

A rush for the top job in the deeply divided MDC party has begun with some provinces already throwing names in the ring.

The MDC is set to hold its extra ordinary congress in three months’ time following a Supreme Court ruling that declared that Nelson Chamisa is not the legitimate leader of that party. The Supreme Court directed the party to hold a congress to choose their legitimate leader in three months.

Masvingo Provincial executive has already nominated former MDC vice president, Engineer Elias Mudzuri as the presidential candidate.

Information gleaned by this publication showed that some MDC members in Masvingo held three separate meetings soon after the Supreme Court ruling at Imbayago shops, Mudzuri homestead and Mutembwa shops in Zaka and came up with a document they titled “ZAKA MDC Leadership Declaration”.

These meetings were attended by Mudzuri, former MDC Masvingo chairperson, James Chafungamoyo Gumbi, former provincial secretary general, Erium Musendekwa, former secretary for information, Derick Charamba, former deputy secretary for information and publicity, Lee Mahachi, Provincial member, Admire Wakurawarerwa and MDC Provincial administrator Peter Chigaba.

Other members who attended these meetings are Muranganwa Chanyau, Ackim Chigariro, Peter Imbayago, Hurbert Fidze, Kwirirai Chigogi, one Mai Viola, Simon Ziki and several others.

The minutes  of one of the meetings showed that one Mugidho, Marava and Mudavanhu were denied access because they were deemed too close to Chamisa and would divulge deliberations to him.

 The meetings came up with various resolutions but the major one was for Masvingo Province to back Mudzuri at the congress.

It was also agreed in the meetings that the Masvingo provincial executive led by Gumbi be reinstated without any disciplinary proceedings and all other suspensions be lifted, with Councillor Collen Maboke bouncing back as Masvingo Mayor.

Gumbi was also tasked to engage national organising secretary Amos Chibaya to reverse the decision to dissolve district executive structures in Masvingo.

During the deliberations, it was agreed that all former G40 members, the likes of Professor Jonathan Moyo and Shadreck Mashayamombe as well as other former rebels such as Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and Job Sikhala, be blocked from seeking leadership positions in the party.

Other resolutions were that Morgan Komichi should be convinced to support Mudzuri as the party president with him being the vice president. It was also agreed that Douglas Mwonzora will retain the Secretary General post.

The meetings resolved that Khupe should be approached so that she renders her support to Mudzuri. In turn, the members agreed that Khupe should be assured of vice president’s post while all members of her party in Masvingo will be integrated into the provincial executive led by Gumbi.

Masvingo MDC organising secretary Bonface Mudzingwa was directed to provide a provincial outreach programme to campaign for Mudzuri and the programme was to be implemented immediately.

Advocates Charamba and Musendikwa were tasked with the duty to lobby other national council members to thwart the dissolution of Masvingo provincial executive and expulsion of mayors by Chamisa.

One Tsungi and Mwatenga Tetlar were assigned to lobby national youth members to support the ouster of Chamisa.

Chigaba, who was recently ordered by Chamisa to surrender the party vehicle, was directed to remain with the party vehicle, party documents and assets so that they can be used for congress preparations and other party activities thereafter.

Mudzingwa and provincial treasurer, Innocent Munazo were given the task of mobilizing funds for the planned congress.

Political analyst, Mr Tashinga Chabayanzara, said the leaked secret meetings minutes clearly showed that the MDC was heading for a split as the centre no longer holds. Mr Chabayanzara said the decision by Masvingo province to nominate Mudzuri to be the president of the party was likely to have takers as Chamisa had lost favour with the province.

On Tuesday, Supreme Court judge,  Justice Bharat Patel, upheld the earlier High Court judgement and ruled that Chamisa was unlawfully appointed as the acting president of the opposition party ahead of Thokozani Khupe. The courts further ordered the convening of an extra-ordinary congress within three months to elect a new party president and Khupe was assigned the mandate to lead the process.

Disgruntlement over Chamisa’s leadership style had been escalating before the Supreme Court ruling hence, it is highly likely that Chamisa would lose the party’s presidency, if he decides to contest in the extraordinary congress.