MDC-T Manicaland against coalition with Simba Makoni

A STORM is brewing in the MDC-T over its coalition with Mavambo/Dawn/Kusile, amid revelations that a faction loyal to Mr Tendai Biti is against the decision by party leader, Mr Morgani Tsvangirai to coerce its Makoni Central candidate to withdraw and pave way for MKD leader, Dr Simba Makoni.

The ManicaPost reports that Mr Tsvangirai is pushing for Mr Patrick Sagandira's withdrawal in Makoni Central to pave a safe haven for the ex-finance minister.

However, those opposed to the idea are resisting the "undemocratic and calamitous" move and have intensified their campaign for Mr Sagandira.

They argued that Mr Tsvangirai entered into a pact with Dr Makoni, who pulled out of the presidential race to support the premier, prematurely without consulting the feasibility of the arrangement.

Mr Tsvangirai wants Dr Makoni to contest as a Member of House of Assembly in a constituency that his party will not field a candidate to enhance his prospects of victory.
This has been interpreted as Mr Tsvangirai's ploy to deploy Dr Makoni as a finance minister.

MKD spokesman for Manicaland, Mr George Hukuimwe, on Tuesday told The Manica Post that a deal was reached with MDC-T to back Dr Makoni's candidature in Makoni Central.

"I can confirm that the MDC-T candidate for Makoni Central withdrew from the race to give way to Dr Makoni and that (our) MKD candidate for Makoni West, Mr Josphat Hunidzarira, withdrew his candidature to give way to MDC-T candidate, Mr Webber Chinyadza. There were some changes too, but at this moment, I can safely confirm the above," said Mr Hukuimwe in a statement.

The MDC-T Manicaland executive last Saturday furiously attacked the arrangement and attempts by Mr Tsvangirai to arm-twist Mr Sagandira to save his face.
The Julius Magarangoma-led executive is arguing that Mr Sagandira was elected through a "credible electoral process and the proposed move was undemocratic."
MDC-T Manicaland spokesperson, Mr Pishai Muchauraya disputed assertions by Mr Hukuimwe, saying Mr Sagandira remained the MDC-T candidate.

"We have one party candidate and that is Mr Patrick Sagandira. The MDC-T is sponsoring only one candidate who was elected by its supporters through a credible selection process that was sanctioned by the national leadership.

"Any other arrangement that is to the contrary could have been made at national level, but those of us in Manicaland are rallying all MDC-T supporters to support Mr Sagandira.

"Dr Makoni is a candidate of MKD and president of that party. We have a working political relationship aimed at removing Zanu-PF from power, not removing democratically elected MDC-T from the race to pave way for him. That is wrong and undemocratic," said Mr Muchauraya.
Zanu-PF will be represented by Justice Minister,  Patrick Chinamasa.

This has left Mr Tsvangirai in a corner, unable to deal with the Makoni issue. Sources said Mr Tsvangirai tried to woe influential provincial members to buy his proposal, but they refused.

The provincial members made it clear that forcing Mr Sagandira to withdraw would be calamitous as none of them would campaign for Dr Makoni.
"The premier's argument had no takers from the Magarangoma executive. That is the reason why he developed cold feet in announcing the MDC-T's support for Dr Makoni's candidature in the constituency," said an insider.

Dr Makoni had attended the MDC-T Sakubva rally expecting to be unveiled as the officially endorsed candidate.
"We need to give democracy a chance to flourish and use it to lure people on our side. We do not want to rule by decree. Leaders should not take people as fools. When you are voted into power, you should not take people as fools.

"There is no safe zone for Makoni. He must have participated in the primaries and we cannot allow these people to sacrifice a candidate that was duly elected just to make Makoni happy," said the source.

A faction loyal to Grace Kwinjeh is allegedly on the forefront of spearheading the Dr Makoni campaign.
Kwinjeh through her campaign manager, Mr Tazviona Marima, is reportedly advising their supporters to vote for Dr Makoni. Kwinjeh lost in the intra-party polls, but refused to accept defeat alleging that electoral fraud played a role in her narrow loss.