by Christopher Makaza

The Supreme Court ruling that declared Nelson Chamisa an illegitimate leader of the MDC has provoked mixed reactions within the embattled opposition party.

Different interviews carried by the Harare Post with various MDC members revealed that some of them indicate right while turning left. Behind the scene, some MDC members are in total support of the Supreme Court ruling although they portray a different view in public for fear of victimisation. Only a very few MDC members have come out in the open, expressing their support of the ruling.

Former MDC Harare West National Assembly member, Jessie Majome celebrated the judgement saying it marked victory of constitutionalism within the opposition party and that it will rectify succession disputes as proper procedures will be followed rather than Chamisa`s cheap populism.

“MDC is known for abusing its constitution and i am a victim of that. Chamisa is good at victimising those who appear to be a threat to him. He willingly purges all those who appear to be disloyal to him replacing them with his favourites without following the party`s constitution,” she said. 

Majome suffered political violence after she was elbowed out of the Harare West by Chamisa prior to the party`s 2018 primary elections to pave way for Joanna Mamombe whom he is alleged to have had an extramarital affair with.

Former MDC Manicaland provincial member, Tambudzai Tsakatsa concurred with Majome, saying it was high time MDC conforms to principles of democracy and constitutionalism. He called upon Chamisa and the entire MDC leadership to accept and implement the Supreme Court ruling.

“It`s high time Chamisa and his allies swallow their pride and respect the Court judgement. MDC was no-longer a democratic party as we used to know it. Chamisa is now a fully grown dictator who has caused serious divisions within the party,” he said.

Former Chipinge district chairperson, Samson Sithole stated that MDC supporters were disgruntled over the manner in which Chamisa handed party business, citing imposition of party candidates during the 2018 primary elections and the unnecessary expulsion of party members on factional lines. “We are all aware that Chamisa imposes candidates who are loyal to him that is why the party is seriously divided. He also misappropriated party funds received under the Political Parties Finance Act at the expense of funding party activities,” said Sithole.

MDC-T leader, Dr Thokozani Khupe, who was recently declared as the legitimate acting president of the party after the demise of former president, Morgan Tsvangirai on 14 February 2018, said that it was in the party’s interest to account for the public funds which were used by Chamisa. Dr Khupe highlighted that political finances were meant to fund activities of the organisation and not meant to go to an individual`s pocket.

Former MDC Chegutu Mayor and ward 8 councillor, Henry Muchatibaya also celebrated the judgement accusing Chamisa of his unwarranted purging of mayors including Victoria Falls former mayor, Somvelo Dlamini and the then newly elected Masvingo Mayor, Collin Maboke whom he forced to resign to pave way for his preferred candidate, ward 5 councillor Daniel Mberikunashe who turned out to be his nephew.

However, MDC National Youth Assembly leader Tererai Obey Sithole said the Supreme Court ruling was a non-event and vowed to use all means possible to defend the party`s interests.

“While we all thought that the lockdown was for Covid-19, the regime has gone an extra mile to lockdown our party headquarters. We are here and ready to defend the people’s project by all means. Nelson Chamisa remains our president, we won’t be given a leader by the courts,” posted Sithole on his Twitter handle.

Harare MDC Provincial Youth Organising Secretary, Denford Ngadziore said he would defy the Covid-19 lockdown order and mobilise the MDC youth from the province to defend the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House (MRTH) from being taken over by Khupe.

“We are fully aware that the court judgement was a ZANU PF project meant to destabilise our party. We are not going to fold our hands. We will use all means possible to defend our party and our leaders, if it means engaging in massive demonstrations we will do so without fear,” he said.

The Supreme Court ruling has sent the MDC into panic mode with Chamisa seemingly agreeing with the ruling as he edited his Twitter account removing the title MDC President from his biography. He had to return the title on advice from his senior members who viewed the move as an admission of defeat.

Chamisa`s two deputies Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube have panicked the most as the historic ruling has put their positions at stake. The two politicians are not in the equation since they were not part of the 2014 MDC T structures after forming splinter opposition parties.

The Supreme Court judgement has introduced new dynamics, putting the entire opposition into uncertainty. Political analysts have predicted that the MDC party will be extremely weak in 2023 a scenario that obtained in 2005 and 2013 following major splits of the party.