News / National
MDC-T on begging spree
30 Aug 2014 at 07:54hrs | Views
MDC-T is struggling to raise money for its congress set for October and has extended the begging bowl to international well-wishers.
Sources said potential financiers have not been forthcoming. MDC-T is broke after it was dumped by traditional Western donors after a humiliating defeat by Zanu-PF in last year's harmonised elections.
MDC-T spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, on Thursday said the failure by Treasury to release money to political parties under the Political Parties Finance Act, put their preparations in disarray.
He declined to disclose how much the MDC-T required for congress.
Another party senior executive member, Mr Charlton Hwende, said they would appeal to international well wishers through some money transfer agencies to finance the congress.
"Treasury has not given us money so we are relying on subscriptions and other ways of fundraising," he said. "That has affected us big time. We must be doing certain things now and even accommodation for our delegates we have to look for another plan because we could not afford certain standards of accommodation.
"But I can assure you that the delegates will be accommodated."
Mr Hwende confirmed on his Facebook page that his party's accounts were in red.
"We are left with just 70 days before our historic congress without the rebels and in line with our new approach of funding our own struggle, we will soon be launching an appeal for cash donations and in kind towards the congress," he said.
"We are busy finalising the pay pal, EcoCash and Mukuru.com platforms. Those who would like to pledge in kind inbox me so that we can link you with the treasurer-general Mai Theresa Makone."
Mr Mwonzora confirmed the congress would amend the party's constitution, a move viewed by critics as a ploy by the party's leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai to centralise power in his office.
Mr Mwonzora said the amendments were aimed at democratising the constitution and making it more workable.
He said a committee set up to gather public views on the proposed amendments had concluded its consultations and would table them to the national council soon.
Mr Mwonzora said the party was already conducting elections at grassroots level while nominations for elected positions would be held early October.
"We have completed all branch congresses countrywide and we are now doing ward congresses after which districts will follow," he said.
"Provincial congresses will be completed in September followed by nominations for elected positions in October."
The MDC-T congress is scheduled for Harare from October 29 to 31.
Sources said potential financiers have not been forthcoming. MDC-T is broke after it was dumped by traditional Western donors after a humiliating defeat by Zanu-PF in last year's harmonised elections.
MDC-T spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, on Thursday said the failure by Treasury to release money to political parties under the Political Parties Finance Act, put their preparations in disarray.
He declined to disclose how much the MDC-T required for congress.
Another party senior executive member, Mr Charlton Hwende, said they would appeal to international well wishers through some money transfer agencies to finance the congress.
"Treasury has not given us money so we are relying on subscriptions and other ways of fundraising," he said. "That has affected us big time. We must be doing certain things now and even accommodation for our delegates we have to look for another plan because we could not afford certain standards of accommodation.
"But I can assure you that the delegates will be accommodated."
Mr Hwende confirmed on his Facebook page that his party's accounts were in red.
"We are left with just 70 days before our historic congress without the rebels and in line with our new approach of funding our own struggle, we will soon be launching an appeal for cash donations and in kind towards the congress," he said.
"We are busy finalising the pay pal, EcoCash and Mukuru.com platforms. Those who would like to pledge in kind inbox me so that we can link you with the treasurer-general Mai Theresa Makone."
Mr Mwonzora confirmed the congress would amend the party's constitution, a move viewed by critics as a ploy by the party's leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai to centralise power in his office.
Mr Mwonzora said the amendments were aimed at democratising the constitution and making it more workable.
He said a committee set up to gather public views on the proposed amendments had concluded its consultations and would table them to the national council soon.
Mr Mwonzora said the party was already conducting elections at grassroots level while nominations for elected positions would be held early October.
"We have completed all branch congresses countrywide and we are now doing ward congresses after which districts will follow," he said.
"Provincial congresses will be completed in September followed by nominations for elected positions in October."
The MDC-T congress is scheduled for Harare from October 29 to 31.
Source - The Herald
