Demonstration at MDC-T headquarters

HUNDREDS of MDC-T activists from Sunningdale constituency yesterday besieged the party headquarters, Harvest House, over the formation's intention to impose outgoing legislator Ms Margaret Matienga who failed the confirmation exercise recently.

Several activists, mostly women, were protesting and castigating MDC-T Women's Assembly chairperson  Mrs Theresa Makone whom they accused of being the mastermind of the imposition.

"We don't want Matienga to be imposed on us. She failed the confirmation exercise. Mrs Makone is telling us that Mrs Matienga will represent us, whether we like it or not," said one female protester.

Another protester added: "Why do they want to impose someone who got 24 votes out of 204? Mrs Makone told us that if we don't want Mrs Matienga we can leave the party. Now we don't care if the seat goes to Zanu-PF because we cannot be forced to vote for someone we don't want.

"We have told them that we want a man, Matsheza, because he offers us transport when there are meetings. Matienga does not allow us to board her car. They cannot tell us that the seat is reserved for a woman because Solomon (Madzore) got into Dzivarasekwa, a seat that was held by a woman (Ms Evelyn Masaiti)."

Female aspiring candidates who eyed the seat were Zhomuya Getrude and Zenda Vanencia.

MDC-T Harare provincial spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu reiterated that his party would stand by the decision of the national council that no man would contest in a constituency that is held by a woman.

"It is the resolution of the national council that all female MPs can only be challenged by female opponents.

"In a situation where there are no female contestants then the only woman will automatically be declared the party candidate. That decision can only be reversed by the national council," said Mr Gutu.