MDC-T USA Province nominates its candidates, Tendai Biti missing

The Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai (United States  Province), External Assembly met on Sunday April 24 and agreed on a slate of candidates to be considered for various offices at the 3rd Party Congress scheduled for Bulawayo. MDC-T USA said that the nominations were carried out in compliance with the MDC-T Constitution Cause 5.4.3.2. The Clause reads that the following office holders "Shall be elected directly by Congress from nominations made by the Provinces". They say the nominations were achieved in spite of attempts by some yet unidentified senior party officials' to deny External Assemblies their constitutional rights to nominate candidates of their choice.

The Candidates are:

PRESIDENT: Morgan Richard Tsvangirai
VICE PRESIDENT: Thokozani Khupe
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN: Lovemore Moyo
VICE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN: Paurina Mpariwa
SECRETARY GENERAL: Prof Eliphas Mukonoweshuro
VICE SECRETARY: Bhekithemba Mpofu
TREASURER GENERAL: Roy Bennett
VICE TREASURER: Sekai Holland
ORGANIZING SECRETARY: Nelson Chamisa
VICE ORGANIZING SECRETARY: Thamsanqa Mahlangu
INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY: Obert Gutu
WOMAN CHAIRPERSON: Evelyn Masaiti
YOUTH CHAIRMAN: Promise Mkwananzi

Speaking before the nominations process, MDC-USA Chairman, Mr. Den Moyo said that the Province was expecting nomination papers to have been sent to all three external Provinces of South Africa, the United Kingdom and Ireland and the United States two weeks ago. "We were told by officials within the office of the National Chairman that nominations will be sent to all Provinces including the three external Assemblies some two weeks back.

"Attempts to get the nomination papers delivered were stonewalled and we were sent running around with no one willing to explain or give an official position with regards to the sudden absence of nomination papers and explanation on the process. Instead we had to pick up bits and pieces of information and nominations from other Provinces from the media, including the fact that these were to close on Friday April 22, 2011 without our input. However, we are determined to proceed and nominate our own candidates for the Congress as provided for in the constitution," he said.

In the meantime, the MDC UK & Ireland Province has also nominated its own list of candidates with MDC South Africa to follow suit.