MDC heading for another split

A split in the country's largest opposition party is imminent as MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has hinted on his stepping down and insinuated that he prefers to leave the party in the hands of the youngest of his deputies, Nelson Chamisa, a move that has not been universally received.
 
Tsvangirai yesterday released his New Year's message and in that statement he gave the first indications that he might be ready to hang his boots due to medical problems that have bedevilled him for some time now.

The veteran opposition leader stated that it was time for the old guard to leave the fight to the younger generation and most took this to mean that he wanted to leave Chamisa in charge.

"I am looking at the imminent prospects of us as the older generation leaving the levers of leadership to allow the younger generation to take forward this huge task that we started together so many years ago," wrote Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai is 65, Elias Mudzuri, his other deputy is 60 and Thokozani Khupe is 54 while Chamisa is 39.
Former advisor to Tsvangirai and lawyer, Alex Magaisa, weighed-in on the argument of succession in the MDC-T and warned people from being rush and emotional in choosing his former boss' successor as the electorate had to consider that person's past and present contributions to that party.

"I'm intrigued by the fact that without even examining what they stand for or listening to their manifestos, some have already made up their minds as to who must take over should a vacancy arises in the MDC. Based on what exactly, I would be delighted to know," wrote Magaisa on his twitter handle.

Some have decided to outrightly declare Chamisa as the natural successor to Tsvangirai as he has always been the one visibly seen with the ailing leader over the past 18 years.

"Internal Chamisa might not be as famous as the other candidates but outside, he is more famous, second from Save and that's what we need right now, someone vibrant and popular. We can't start to introduce a new person when elections are just around the corner. Do the right thing and you know it," said Vincent Chawota.

However, it is becoming clear that the party is torn as to who to support and these divisions have led to splitting of the party in the past.

Chamisa mainly enjoys the support and backing of some party sympathisers and those outside the main branches of the party whereas the true die hard party stalwarts in the party executive are seen as supporting the candidature of Mudzuri.

Chamisa's main frontline supporters are said to be the likes of Prof Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Job Sikhala amongst others who have at some point or another dumped the party to go solo.

Mudzuri on the other hand is said to be enjoying the backing of Party Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzoro (who gained the SG post at the expense of Chamisa) and party spokesperson, Obet Gutu.

These rumours of infighting have started to confuse the electorate as to whom they should follow.

"Not an admirable situation that Nero (Nelson Chamisa) finds himself in because its precarious considering he was not elected and a clique is already hitting the ground propping him up discrediting other fellow seniors, hence another eruption in the making for MDC.

"Us the electorate getting confused eventually, handle with care," said Richard Bhuri.

Others have questioned why the party has decided to be so patriarchal and not even consider the other VP, Thokozani Khupe in the succession matrix.

"Overlooked by whom? Pretty sure she (Khupe) would do well if she decided to run and ran a competent campaign. Currently I have no idea what she stands for," said Lovejoy Manduku.

Mwonzora has decided to be more diplomatic in responding to whom he prefers in the succession wars in his party by stating that he is just neutral, waiting for people to decide for themselves at congress.

"No. I am not campaigning for anyone. Mudzuri is the acting president and I had a meeting with him. That's not campaigning for him," said Mwonzora.