By Political Reporter

Sharp divisions have rocked the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance following reports that some senior members of that party are threatening to resign if that party’s spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, is allowed to contest for the Mt Pleasant parliamentary seat in the by-elections.

The Mt Pleasant seat fell vacant following the recalling of Samuel Banda by the MDC T in June last year.

A source who spoke to this publication said there were disagreements within the MDC Alliance on who should contest for the Mt Pleasant seat between Mahere and Banda.

“There are serious divisions within the party concerning Mt Pleasant constituency. The party has a belief that by-elections might be held soon and they are already planning on who should contest in the vacant constituencies. Concerning Mt Pleasant constituency, a group led by the president (Chamisa) is supporting the candidature of Mahere while other National Standing Committee (NSC) members want the former legislator, Banda, to contest on behalf of the party,” said the source.

The source added that there was a general consensus within the party that Mahere is abusing her proximity to the president to position herself for the Mt Pleasant seat.

“Some party members believe that Mahere is a new comer, therefore she cannot have the seat ahead of a senior member of the party. Other members feel that Mahere is abusing her proximity to Chamisa to force him to endorse her candidature for the Mt Pleasant seat. Some senior members have threatened to resign if Mahere is allowed to contest on behalf of the party in Mt Pleasant,” added the source.

Mahere previously contested as an independent candidate for the Mt Pleasant seat in 2018 and came a distant third behind the eventual winner Banda and ZANU PF’ James Passade.

She only joined the MDC Alliance after the 2018 elections and was swiftly promoted to be the spokesperson of that political outfit, a move that left many seasoned members disgruntled.