Mwonzora cries foul

ASPIRING Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora is crying foul over the timing of the provincial congresses in which national party leaders are being nominated saying it was well planned to coincide with his on-going public violence trial so that he would not get time to canvas for support.

Mwonzora is one of the three MDC-T top dogs seeking to land the coveted position at next month's congress. Five local provinces have since held their congresses and have nominated party organising secretary, Nelson Chamisa, for the position while Mwonzora has been nominated only by the United States province. Acting secretary general, Tapiwa Mashakada, who is hoping to land the position on a substantive basis, is yet to garner any nominations.

MDC-T has 12 local provinces and three outside provinces to make a total of 15. According to the party's constitution, any member interested in a national position must be able to get nomination from at least one province which would make him/her eligible to contest for it at congress. While MDC-T president, Morgan Tsvangirai; his deputy, Thokozani Khupe; and national chairman, Lovemore Moyo, have so far gone through the provinces uncontested, a huge battle is brewing around the powerful secretary-general's post.

Mwonzora, who is facing charges of inciting public violence at Rusape Regional Magistrates Court, this week, questioned the timing of the provincial congresses. "I have every reason to smell a rat because it is too much of a coincidence that for the second time, nominations have happened at a time when I am attending to the court case in which I am being charged with inciting public violence. This was also the case during the run up to the 2011 congress when nominations were done whilst I was facing trial," he said.

Asked if he knew who was behind the plot, Mwonzora said: "I cannot say who it is but clearly, someone wants to affect my chances of landing the position. It was timed by whoever timed it. We know that some of our people work with the ZANU-PF government which is so uncomfortable with having me as an opposition secretary-general." Although Mwonzora did not say who was behind the plot, a very senior MDC-T member accused Chamisa of scheming against Mwonzora.

"We all know that those nominations are not a true reflection of the people. Chamisa has been fighting to keep Mwonzora out of the race which is why he staffed the provinces with his proxies as the organising secretary responsible for putting up party structures. It is not surprising that Chamisa is behind all this," the official said.

"The people are obviously afraid of victimisation because nominations are being done by mere raising of hands in the presence of Chamisa. What can you expect in the scenario, honestly," he quizzed.

Sources said Mashakada, sensing a possible defeat, was considering withdrawing from the race and settling for the deputy secretary general position for which he has been receiving nominations. According to the MDC-T constitution, it is a winner takes all situation at congress with anyone who has vied for a senior position completely forfeiting their earlier held positions.

The risk therefore is being reduced to a mere card carrying member if one is to lose the election. But Mwonzora is adamant that he will win and he said he was going for it. "All I needed was a nomination which I have since received despite being in such a difficult time. Now that I have been nominated, I have qualified to contest and I will be contesting," he said.

"I am not worried by the fact that my other colleague is ahead of me in terms of nominations. I am still confident that I can go on to win it. In 2011, I got only two nominations but went on to win resoundingly despite not being nominated by my own home province of Manicaland. The good thing is that by the time we get to congress, my court case will be over and I will be able to compete with the others on a level platform," he added.

Mwonzora said he hoped to get nominations from some of the nine remaining provinces. Sources said with Mashakada pulling out, chances are high that party leader, Tsvangirai, will throw his weight behind Mwonzora although the former Prime Minister at the weekend said he was not backing anyone but would endorse the will of the people.

Chamisa and Mashakada were not picking but the organising secretary appears to be already in a celebratory mood. "It is my sworn duty and fervent hope to chlorinate the office and prove that it is possible to occupy this valuable office and yet remain valuable, loyal and submissive to the throne," read the message posted on his Facebook page.

"I am not unconscious of the full meaning of the onerous task ahead of us and before us. I am not unmindful of the controversies and anxieties the post has in the past incited. The position of SG has been a breeding ground of rebellion and arrogance being that proverbial albatross around our necks as MDC family members."

The MDC-T congress was originally scheduled for 2016 but the party was forced to move the dates back to October this year after it disintegrated when "expelled" secretary-general, Tendai Biti, broke away, taking with him a sizable number of top members, leaving it crippled and needing to restructure.