Aspiring MDC-T candidate quits in Insiza, told to go back to Zvishavane where she was born

ONE of the Tsvangirai led MDC members who reportedly has been jostling to replace the late Jabulani "Mahewu" Dube in Insiza South as the party's candidate, Mrs Tendai Moyo, has withdrawn from the race.

Dube died last month soon after winning the primaries. Mrs Moyo reportedly withdrew as she could not withstand pressure from other party members who are calling her a "foreigner" because originally she does not come from Insiza district.

Mrs Moyo, a teacher at Marvel Primary School in Filabusi, was reported to have started campaigning to be the party's candidate.

Some MDC-T party members told the state media that they could not vote for a "foreigner" who was not born in Insiza district to represent them in parliament.

"Party members in Insiza South have told Mrs Moyo to go back to Zvishavane if she wants to stand as a parliamentary candidate. Even those who had initially supported her have now abandoned her. We want people who were born in Godlwayo (Insiza)," said a party member.

"Initially, she had applied to be considered for a Senatorial post but later became unsettled and changed her mind and decided to start campaigning for a parliamentary position after the death of Mahewu.

Seeing that she no longer has the backing of the people, she has decided to withdraw from the race."

Contacted for comment yesterday, Mrs Moyo distanced herself from the jostling for Dube's post.

"I was never interested in that position because Mahewu was my friend and I used to assist him in his campaigns.
"Instead I am standing as a candidate under proportional representation for the Senatorial post."

Mrs Moyo described as "nonsensical" people calling her a foreigner.
"That is absolute nonsense. I am married to a man born in Insiza and I can contest in any position," she said.

Meanwhile, some MDC-T insiders said Dube's family have proposed that his brother, Mr Dumezweni Dube should be the party's candidate.