Mwonzora accuses MDC rivals of power grab

MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora has lashed out at some senior party leaders, accusing them of plotting to seize his position following a High Court judgment that invalidated the party's December 2022 congress.

Mwonzora is challenging the ruling, which nullified the congress on grounds of constitutional non-compliance, citing inadequate notice and the failure to properly convene a women's congress. He further alleged that the judgment was politically motivated and linked to the party's opposition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's alleged bid to extend his rule beyond the constitutional limit.

Addressing journalists at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (Harvest) House in Harare yesterday, Mwonzora said the High Court judgment effectively rendered illegitimate all leaders elected at the disputed congress.

"Now, in line with what the national council of the MDC decided on December 9, we have effected a few leadership changes in our party," Mwonzora said.

"We have dealt with those people who tried to derail the people's struggle. There is no place for indiscipline in our party. There is democracy.

"That is why, if you want to be president, you have to be elected by congress. If you want any leadership position, it has to be elected. Those people tried to get leadership through undemocratic means."

Mwonzora said the MDC remained committed to taking power through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means and to improving the lives of Zimbabweans.

"We want a leadership that will deliver for the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

"As you know, ladies and gentlemen, the aim of the MDC is to take over governmental power through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means, govern differently and change the lives of the people of Zimbabwe for the better.

"So we want a leadership that is going to deliver just that. And I'm happy that the MDC has no dearth of leadership."

He said the party was reverting to its pre-congress leadership structure in line with the interpretation of the arbiter general, following the court ruling.

"I want people to understand what is happening here. There was a judgment by Justice Zhou in February 2025," Mwonzora said.

"And that judgment nullified the congress of the MDC held on December 18, 2022. What that means, therefore, is that the congress never took place. That is what the effect of the judgment is.

"And I've seen a number of leaders of the MDC, people who were in the standing committee, saying that they support the judgment.

"And what that judgment then means is that whosoever was holding a position by virtue only of being elected in the 2022 congress ceases to hold that position."

The MDC has been rocked by deepening internal divisions, with a group of party youths late last year claiming to have dispossessed Mwonzora of the party headquarters. His deputy, Elias Mudzuri, has also publicly claimed to have taken over the party leadership, further intensifying the leadership wrangle.