News / Local
MDC-T dismiss Makokoba rift reports
16 Apr 2013 at 03:41hrs | Views
THE MDC-T's Bulawayo province has dismissed reports that its Makokoba constituency structures are in shambles following confusion over State Enterprises minister Gorden Moyo's candidacy in the forthcoming elections.
Moyo wants to stand in place of Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe who has given up the seat that she last won in 2008, opting to be accommodated in the 60 parliamentary seats set aside for women under the new constitution.
But there were reports the minister, who is also the MDC-T provincial chairman, was being sidelined by the party on the grounds that the seat will be preserved for female candidates. MDC-T provincial spokesperson Mandla Sibanda told NewsDay recently that the alleged rift in the party was a creation of the media. Sibanda said the party was yet to decide on the seats to be set aside for women.
"After that, confirmations will be made for the sitting MPs," Sibanda said. "If the sitting MPs are not confirmed, primary elections will be held in their constituencies."
Sibanda said all the constituencies with sitting MPs, including Makokoba, would have confirmations before the primaries.
"In Bulawayo Central and East constituencies we have female MPs just like in Makokoba," he said.
"Some male candidates applied for those seats. So, why all the noise and unfounded claims about Makokoba?"
Khupe and Moyo's names are reportedly not on the list of more than 1 200 aspiring MDC-T candidates that were approved last week.
Moyo wants to stand in place of Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe who has given up the seat that she last won in 2008, opting to be accommodated in the 60 parliamentary seats set aside for women under the new constitution.
But there were reports the minister, who is also the MDC-T provincial chairman, was being sidelined by the party on the grounds that the seat will be preserved for female candidates. MDC-T provincial spokesperson Mandla Sibanda told NewsDay recently that the alleged rift in the party was a creation of the media. Sibanda said the party was yet to decide on the seats to be set aside for women.
"After that, confirmations will be made for the sitting MPs," Sibanda said. "If the sitting MPs are not confirmed, primary elections will be held in their constituencies."
Sibanda said all the constituencies with sitting MPs, including Makokoba, would have confirmations before the primaries.
"In Bulawayo Central and East constituencies we have female MPs just like in Makokoba," he said.
"Some male candidates applied for those seats. So, why all the noise and unfounded claims about Makokoba?"
Khupe and Moyo's names are reportedly not on the list of more than 1 200 aspiring MDC-T candidates that were approved last week.
Source - newsday
