News / National
Chamisa threatens to expel violence instigators
10 Apr 2019 at 08:28hrs | Views
MDC president Nelson Chamisa on Monday threatened to expel those instigating violence that has rocked his party ahead of the congress in May.
The youthful opposition leader was in a no nonsense mood all afternoon during an explosive meeting held at the party provincial offices as he took everyone to task particularly on the Cowdray Park Local Government election loss.
Chamisa, who was in the company of party's national leadership including Welshman Ncube, Douglas Mwonzora, Tendai Biti, Amos Chibaya and Morgen Komichi also read the riot act against what he termed as divisive elements in the party. MDC provincial spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu confirmed Chamisa's fury.
"With regards to Cowdray Park ward by-elections the president made it very clear that the party was not happy with not only the outcome but how the whole candidature issue was handled from the national leadership down to the said ward and also condemned the candidates concerned and told them to put the party first ahead of ambitions.
"His final word was that the issue of double candidature is a thing of the past as it shall never happen again. "On political violence, the president promised those involved in it that their days in the party are numbered. He told the meeting that we are a party of ideas and we must debate and differ on ideas.
He said those who engage in violence would have failed to think," Ndlovu told the Southern News. He added: "As we move to our provincial congress the president condemned those who sponsor factionalism saying such people do not belong to MDC. He said leaders must be elected on merit only and there must be free contestation.
"He even gave an example of them as national leadership as they were moving around together addressing provincial congresses when they would be challenging one another in the elections."
The MDC congress has been scheduled to run from May 24 to 26, in what could either make or break the 20-year-old party.
Chamisa also reportedly complained of factionalism which he said was rocking the party, hence strongly breeding a wave of intra-party violence. "He traced the root cause of violence and blamed the provincial leadership for causing unnecessary divisions in the party.
"He also singled out party bigwigs whom he accused of sponsoring the violence that has been rocking the party.
"He however made it clear that he won't hesitate to suspend those caught offside before the congress," another official told the Southern News. Turning to the long-standing rivalry between him, and two other presidential aspirants Mwonzora and Elias Mudzuri, Chamisa reportedly said he had no problem with that as it was a good sign of democracy.
Among other issues that Chamisa touched on was the Bulawayo provincial congress which has been slated for April 13, which he said was likely to be violent.
The youthful opposition leader was in a no nonsense mood all afternoon during an explosive meeting held at the party provincial offices as he took everyone to task particularly on the Cowdray Park Local Government election loss.
Chamisa, who was in the company of party's national leadership including Welshman Ncube, Douglas Mwonzora, Tendai Biti, Amos Chibaya and Morgen Komichi also read the riot act against what he termed as divisive elements in the party. MDC provincial spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu confirmed Chamisa's fury.
"With regards to Cowdray Park ward by-elections the president made it very clear that the party was not happy with not only the outcome but how the whole candidature issue was handled from the national leadership down to the said ward and also condemned the candidates concerned and told them to put the party first ahead of ambitions.
"His final word was that the issue of double candidature is a thing of the past as it shall never happen again. "On political violence, the president promised those involved in it that their days in the party are numbered. He told the meeting that we are a party of ideas and we must debate and differ on ideas.
He said those who engage in violence would have failed to think," Ndlovu told the Southern News. He added: "As we move to our provincial congress the president condemned those who sponsor factionalism saying such people do not belong to MDC. He said leaders must be elected on merit only and there must be free contestation.
"He even gave an example of them as national leadership as they were moving around together addressing provincial congresses when they would be challenging one another in the elections."
The MDC congress has been scheduled to run from May 24 to 26, in what could either make or break the 20-year-old party.
Chamisa also reportedly complained of factionalism which he said was rocking the party, hence strongly breeding a wave of intra-party violence. "He traced the root cause of violence and blamed the provincial leadership for causing unnecessary divisions in the party.
"He also singled out party bigwigs whom he accused of sponsoring the violence that has been rocking the party.
"He however made it clear that he won't hesitate to suspend those caught offside before the congress," another official told the Southern News. Turning to the long-standing rivalry between him, and two other presidential aspirants Mwonzora and Elias Mudzuri, Chamisa reportedly said he had no problem with that as it was a good sign of democracy.
Among other issues that Chamisa touched on was the Bulawayo provincial congress which has been slated for April 13, which he said was likely to be violent.
Source - Daily News
