MDC-T constitutional amendments to create an expanded presidium

THE Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T provincial assemblies will next Wednesday meet at the party headquarters in Harare to debate the proposed constitutional amendments which are aimed at creating an expanded presidium.

Other proposals to be tabled for debate include reducing the secretary-general's powers, reducing the size of provincial structures from the current 12 to 10.

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday confirmed the meeting.

"It's true the party will start discussions on the proposed amendments ahead of the congress starting next week. The first province that gets the opportunity to debate the amendments is Mashonaland East who will hold their meeting at the national headquarters," Mwonzora said.

The amendments come hard on the heels of the unceremonious departure of several top MDC-T officials, among them secretary-general Tendai Biti and deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma after a fallout with Tsvangirai over leadership renewal.

Biti and his group, now known as the Renewal Team, were pushing for Tsvangirai to step down as MDC-T leader at the party's elective congress in October this year. Originally, the congress should have been held in 2016, but the acrimony and internal power struggles after the party's heavy defeat in last year's elections forced the party to bring it forward.

The suggested amendments to the provincial structures will likely see the redefining of the boundaries in Midlands and Harare provinces.

Currently, Midlands is divided into two provinces namely Midlands North and Midlands South while Harare has two provinces - Harare proper and Chitungwiza.

Chitungwiza boundaries incorporate Chitungwiza Municipality, Norton, Seke, Ruwa and Goromonzi.

Under the proposed amendments, the MDC-T president will have powers to appoint the second vice-president and secretary-general of the party. The president's office will also have some of the functions of the secretary's office.

Meanwhile, jostling for the party's top six posts has reportedly reached the apex.

National executive member Elias Mudzuri has challenged Tsvangirai for the presidency while Theresa Makone and acting secretary-general Tapiwa Mashakada are reportedly angling for the treasurer-general's post.