News / Local
MDC-T rejects 'chairperson's' candidature
07 Apr 2013 at 05:15hrs | Views
The Bulawayo provincial executive on Friday rejected the candidature of their chairperson Mr Gorden Moyo who had been lined up to replace Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe as the Member of the House of Assembly for Makokoba constituency, claims the state media.
This comes amid reports that the party's National Council last Wednesday passed a resolution that all sitting women MPs will not be replaced by male candidates, as part of moves to increase women participation in government.
The publisation also claims that some individuals were reportedly disqualified under unclear circumstances, a move that has been viewed as means to protect some party "big wigs".
According to party sources, there was drama on Friday at the provincial offices when members questioned Mr Moyo's candidature and further resolved that if DPM Khupe was to be replaced it was going to be by a female candidate.
"It appears this move was initially instigated by a group from the Makokoba district, who have been mobilising support against the chairperson, during the meeting where Mr Moyo was presenting a report of the national council meeting they questioned the criteria he had used to apply to replace DPM Khupe in the Makokoba constituency.
"After a heated debate, it was thus agree that as per party regulations, Mr Moyo could not stand in Makokoba since the sit was originally held by a woman," said the party source.
Commenting on these developments the party's provincial spokesperson, Mr Mandla Sibanda confirmed that the party had resolved that no man could stand in a constituency that was previously held by a female MP.
"What happened is that members of the National Council were reporting to the province what happened during their meeting on Wednesday and part of this report included the resolution that where ever there is a sitting woman MP it wont be right for a man to challenge or replace them.
"In other words the party is saying all sits currently held by women will now strictly be reserved for women," said Mr Sibanda.
He, however, said at the moment the party was not going to worry much about the confirmation or primaries as they were avoiding causing despondency within their structures.
The party's national spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, also confirmed the developments but referred all questions to the party's national organising secretary, Mr Nelson Chamisa.
"Yes I am aware of the directive to promote women legislators but at the moment I cannot comment on the DPM Khupe, (Mr) Gordern Moyo issue, why don't you call Minister Chamisa," said Mr Mwonzora.
The national spokesperson, however, confirmed that DPM Khupe would not be standing in Makokoba as they wanted "to prepare her to be the country's vice president".
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Chamisa were fruitless as his phone was continuously not available while Mr Moyo's phone went unanswered.
Meanwhile, the party has reportedly disqualified three more individuals in the province who were interested in representing the party under various portfolios.
According to reports, Dr Mandla Nyathi, Mr Kidwell Mujuru and Mr Artwell Sibanda fell by the wayside in a list that was presented by the National Council.
"Dr Nyathi fell by the wayside due to the directive on women MPs, Mr Mujuru's candidature had to be referred back to the electoral directorate for further scrutiny while Mr Sibanda's papers were dropped under yet unclear circumstances.
"What is surprising is that all these people were said to have a huge following in their various constituencies thus their sudden disqualification is believed to be a means of protecting the sitting MPs," said a party source.
The recent developments come at a time when the party's Bulawayo province has been rocked by various internal squabbles with DPM Khupe and the chairperson, Mr Moyo being accused of trying to impose candidates of their own choice in the province.
Makokoba district, in particular, has been subject to controversy with DPM Khupe accused of trying to impose Mr Moyo without the district leadership's consent.
Some of these individuals include Christian Alliance leader, Reverend Useni Sibanda in Emakhandeni and Mr Promise Mkhwananzi who had been lined up to challenge Magwegwe legislator Mr Felix Mafa.
They join a list of candidates that have not been active in the party structures such as former Radio 2 disc jockeys, Eric Knight and Ezra "Tshisa" Sibanda and former editor of the Daily News, Geoff Nyarota, who have suddenly been given the nod to contest ahead of seasoned party cadres.
Knight is eyeing the Mbare seat while Sibanda is angling for the Vungu seat in Lower Gweru. Nyarota intends to stand in Makoni South in Manicaland province.
More than 1 200 candidates submitted their names for consideration to represent the party in the forthcoming elections.
Over 200 prospective candidates were disqualified.
This comes amid reports that the party's National Council last Wednesday passed a resolution that all sitting women MPs will not be replaced by male candidates, as part of moves to increase women participation in government.
The publisation also claims that some individuals were reportedly disqualified under unclear circumstances, a move that has been viewed as means to protect some party "big wigs".
According to party sources, there was drama on Friday at the provincial offices when members questioned Mr Moyo's candidature and further resolved that if DPM Khupe was to be replaced it was going to be by a female candidate.
"It appears this move was initially instigated by a group from the Makokoba district, who have been mobilising support against the chairperson, during the meeting where Mr Moyo was presenting a report of the national council meeting they questioned the criteria he had used to apply to replace DPM Khupe in the Makokoba constituency.
"After a heated debate, it was thus agree that as per party regulations, Mr Moyo could not stand in Makokoba since the sit was originally held by a woman," said the party source.
Commenting on these developments the party's provincial spokesperson, Mr Mandla Sibanda confirmed that the party had resolved that no man could stand in a constituency that was previously held by a female MP.
"What happened is that members of the National Council were reporting to the province what happened during their meeting on Wednesday and part of this report included the resolution that where ever there is a sitting woman MP it wont be right for a man to challenge or replace them.
"In other words the party is saying all sits currently held by women will now strictly be reserved for women," said Mr Sibanda.
He, however, said at the moment the party was not going to worry much about the confirmation or primaries as they were avoiding causing despondency within their structures.
The party's national spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, also confirmed the developments but referred all questions to the party's national organising secretary, Mr Nelson Chamisa.
"Yes I am aware of the directive to promote women legislators but at the moment I cannot comment on the DPM Khupe, (Mr) Gordern Moyo issue, why don't you call Minister Chamisa," said Mr Mwonzora.
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Chamisa were fruitless as his phone was continuously not available while Mr Moyo's phone went unanswered.
Meanwhile, the party has reportedly disqualified three more individuals in the province who were interested in representing the party under various portfolios.
According to reports, Dr Mandla Nyathi, Mr Kidwell Mujuru and Mr Artwell Sibanda fell by the wayside in a list that was presented by the National Council.
"Dr Nyathi fell by the wayside due to the directive on women MPs, Mr Mujuru's candidature had to be referred back to the electoral directorate for further scrutiny while Mr Sibanda's papers were dropped under yet unclear circumstances.
"What is surprising is that all these people were said to have a huge following in their various constituencies thus their sudden disqualification is believed to be a means of protecting the sitting MPs," said a party source.
The recent developments come at a time when the party's Bulawayo province has been rocked by various internal squabbles with DPM Khupe and the chairperson, Mr Moyo being accused of trying to impose candidates of their own choice in the province.
Makokoba district, in particular, has been subject to controversy with DPM Khupe accused of trying to impose Mr Moyo without the district leadership's consent.
Some of these individuals include Christian Alliance leader, Reverend Useni Sibanda in Emakhandeni and Mr Promise Mkhwananzi who had been lined up to challenge Magwegwe legislator Mr Felix Mafa.
They join a list of candidates that have not been active in the party structures such as former Radio 2 disc jockeys, Eric Knight and Ezra "Tshisa" Sibanda and former editor of the Daily News, Geoff Nyarota, who have suddenly been given the nod to contest ahead of seasoned party cadres.
Knight is eyeing the Mbare seat while Sibanda is angling for the Vungu seat in Lower Gweru. Nyarota intends to stand in Makoni South in Manicaland province.
More than 1 200 candidates submitted their names for consideration to represent the party in the forthcoming elections.
Over 200 prospective candidates were disqualified.
Source - chronicle
