News / National
Mutsekwa, Tsunga feud splits MDC-T
19 Jul 2013 at 08:57hrs | Views
THE rivalry between MDC-T's Mr Arnold Tsunga and Mr Giles Mutsekwa in the battle for the Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency has intensified ahead of the harmonised elections set for July 31.
MDC-T was forced to field the two candidates following chaotic primary elections that were cancelled at the last minute.
Mr Mutsekwa – who is the Minister of Housing and Social Amenities is a member of the national executive and has the backing of party leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, while Mr Tsunga, a lawyer, has the support of the Manicaland leadership.
The scenario has led to a blitzkrieg of attacks with the party's provincial leadership blasting the national body for candidate imposition as well as backing Mr Mutsekwa whom they said was no longer wanted by his constituency.
The fight has spilled to the social media with provincial chairman, Mr Julius Magarangoma, attacking the national executive of imposing Mr Mutsekwa on the people.
'For the record, I am supporting Arnold Tsunga for Dangamvura-Chikanga because he is the people's choice. That point was made abundantly clear during the confirmation process. All attempts to impose will be resisted by the same people.
'If we don't speak now, then we shall forever remain tongueless,' wrote Mr Magarangoma on his Facebook account on Monday.
Attempts by the national leadership to impose Mr Mutsekwa prior to the party's star rally at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare last Saturday met stiff resistance.
Sources said the national executive had resolved to remove Mr Tsunga from the Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency and offer him a chance as the provincial chair, while leaving Mr Mutsekwa as the MDC-T candidate for Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency.
This was rejected and Mr Tsunga wrote on his Facebook account: 'National leadership tried to resolve Dangamvura/Chikanga impasse by suggesting to structures that Mutsekwa goes for MP-ship while I go for provincial chairmanship.
'There was no consensus as people flatly and loudly disagreed with this proposal. Consultations with people will continue and intensify but for now matters remain the same.'
The tension between the two candidates who will face Zanu-PF's Cde Micah Reketai Duru in the elections was shown during last Saturday's rally when supporters of the two rivals outwitted each other at the stadium.
They traded harsh words and at one time security personnel had to intervene and prevent imminent clashes. Interviewed MDC-T supporters who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation was tricky and that they were heavily divided.
MDC-T was forced to field the two candidates following chaotic primary elections that were cancelled at the last minute.
Mr Mutsekwa – who is the Minister of Housing and Social Amenities is a member of the national executive and has the backing of party leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, while Mr Tsunga, a lawyer, has the support of the Manicaland leadership.
The scenario has led to a blitzkrieg of attacks with the party's provincial leadership blasting the national body for candidate imposition as well as backing Mr Mutsekwa whom they said was no longer wanted by his constituency.
The fight has spilled to the social media with provincial chairman, Mr Julius Magarangoma, attacking the national executive of imposing Mr Mutsekwa on the people.
'For the record, I am supporting Arnold Tsunga for Dangamvura-Chikanga because he is the people's choice. That point was made abundantly clear during the confirmation process. All attempts to impose will be resisted by the same people.
'If we don't speak now, then we shall forever remain tongueless,' wrote Mr Magarangoma on his Facebook account on Monday.
Attempts by the national leadership to impose Mr Mutsekwa prior to the party's star rally at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare last Saturday met stiff resistance.
Sources said the national executive had resolved to remove Mr Tsunga from the Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency and offer him a chance as the provincial chair, while leaving Mr Mutsekwa as the MDC-T candidate for Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency.
This was rejected and Mr Tsunga wrote on his Facebook account: 'National leadership tried to resolve Dangamvura/Chikanga impasse by suggesting to structures that Mutsekwa goes for MP-ship while I go for provincial chairmanship.
'There was no consensus as people flatly and loudly disagreed with this proposal. Consultations with people will continue and intensify but for now matters remain the same.'
The tension between the two candidates who will face Zanu-PF's Cde Micah Reketai Duru in the elections was shown during last Saturday's rally when supporters of the two rivals outwitted each other at the stadium.
They traded harsh words and at one time security personnel had to intervene and prevent imminent clashes. Interviewed MDC-T supporters who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation was tricky and that they were heavily divided.
Source - online
