Bruce Zvandasara
The simmering power struggle between MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, his deputy, Tendai Biti, has now exploded into the public domain. The development follows the “unexpected” ascendancy to the MDC Vice Presidency by Biti at a time when Chamisa had employed all dirty tactics through provincial chairmen to sabotage Biti’s bid.
Chamisa, who has emerged weaker after the congress, could be a pointer to his fragility against his “nemesis” financial muscle.
A source privy to the under currencies prevalent in the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House told the Harare Post that Biti has been creating a clique around himself, comprising former MDC Renewal members who had been accommodated into the mainstream MDC. The highly placed source added that Biti indicated to his confidants that Chamisa was “too young” and “immature” to lead the MDC ahead of him.
If the new posts announced after the disputed congress at Ascot Stadium in Gweru are to go by, Chamisa has been surrounded by Biti’s clique.
Jogging my mind down the memory lane, during the build up to the congress, Chamisa had a torrid time as he engaged in a rush hour moment in search of funds to fund the congress. He left no stone unturned; he knocked on every door. Yes every door, but to no avail.
Chamisa acted on information from his lieutenants that Biti had released $50 000 towards the congress which was used for vote buying and other activities to make sure that he bags the hotly contested post. It is believed Biti got the funding from the United States Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) to oil his campaign ahead of the congress.
Chamisa is said to be suspicious of Biti whom he regards as “ambitious,” prompting him to attempt to engineer the defeat of the vocal newly elected Vice President.
In his attempt to cripple Biti, Chamisa clandestinely instructed his close lieutenant, Amos Chibaya, to orchestrate the operation to torpedo Biti. He bussed in ineligible MDC Alliance supporters who masqueraded as delegates and allowed them to vote for Chamisa’s preferred candidates. Chamisa went on to delay addressing delegates at the congress in order to delay the voting process so that he buys time to “re-strategise,” but the Biti clique was well paid to neutralise the rigging machine.
Throughout the voting days, during the day and night, Biti and his lieutenants were so conspicuous by their eagle’s eye microscopic monitoring of the voting process to thwart any rigging attempts.
The first unforeseen uppercut that got Chamisa’s chin was after his youth wing lieutenant, Lovemore Chinoputsa, narrowly lost to Obey Sithole, who is a known Biti lieutenant. That was the beginning of the Biti glory train.
Political commentators who spoke to this publication gave out that as it stands, Biti emerges as the winner and the development goes on to signal that he is indeed the west’s preferred candidate.
Everson Mupereri said that “if anything, Biti emerges victorious as he skipped Chamisa planted hurdles to pin him down. After the formation of the MDC Alliance, Chamisa did not make his dislike for Biti a secret when he only made him a Deputy National Chairperson, at a time everyone thought he would land a better post. Biti’s lieutenants have, however, won most of the strategic positions in the MDC Alliance.”
As first reported by this publication months back, political events currently unfolding in that party are pointing to an emerging deadly factional confrontation between the two.
The chaotic congress, and the defeat of Chamisa’s allies, Morgen Komichi and Lilian Timveous, is a precursor to a boiling factional fight with Chamisa currently on the receiving end.
Komichi whose loyalty to Chamisa was so exuberant became the first to succumb to factional wars, and this was a knockout moment for Chamisa loyalists.
Interestingly, Komichi received 11 nominations from 12 provinces to run in the Vice Presidency race. He was leading in the nomination race with Biti and Welshman Ncube following in toe.
The most ambitious political outfit is now on the loose.
