Dog eat dog in MDC-T ahead of congress

Jostling for positions has intensified in the MDC-T ahead of its elective congress in October with revelations that party bigwigs' positions including that of vice president Thokozani Khupe are under threat.

A senior party official told the Daily News yesterday on condition of anonymity that those aspiring to contest for positions were now openly canvassing for support in the party structures.

The official revealed that while the party leader Morgan Tsvangirai is most likely to retain his post uncontested. However, Khupe is likely to face a challenge in an all-Matabeleland duel with Thabita Khumalo and national chairman Lovemore Moyo.

The official said Khupe would have to bank on Tsvangirai's benevolence to be appointed into the national executive.

"Currently, the trio who are vying for the party's number two position do not see eye-to-eye although it is clear that either Khumalo or Moyo will emerge triumphant because they seem to have the backing of the top leadership," said the official.

If Moyo does land the vice presidency, it is likely that Southerton MP Gift Chimanikire will take over as national chairman while Nelson Chamisa becomes the secretary-general.

Chamisa is likely going to face a challenge from the acting secretary-general Tapiwa Mashakada who is said to be campaigning for the same post although he claims that he will wait to be nominated by the provinces.

"It is not about what I want but what the people want. If they nominate me to be the vice president, I cannot say no I want to be spokesperson," Chamisa told the Daily News when contacted for comment.

Morgen Komichi, the insider said is likely to retain his position as deputy national chairman "as he is likely not going to succeed in persuading the leadership to create a second vice president and other posts for himself and others who know they are unelectable".

Douglas Mwonzora, the party's spokesperson is expected to retain his post if he is not challenged by Harare province spokesperson Obert Gutu.

Gutu's name has also been linked with the treasurer-general's position which is also coveted by acting treasurer-general and women's assembly boss Theresa Makone.

The party official, however, said the treasurer-general post will likely to go to international relations secretary Jameson Timba, although he will have to shake off a strong challenge that will be posed by James Gumbi.

"Makone seems to have fallen out of favour with the party structures after her less than convincing stint with the women's assembly which gives Timba an upper hand."

The post of organising secretary currently held by Chamisa will likely go to his deputy Abednico Bhebhe.

However, it is not going to be a stroll in the park for Bhebhe as he will lock horns with Harare central MP Murisi Zwizwai, Amos Chibaya, Mkoba MP and former youth assembly president Thamsanqa Mahlangu.

Former Labour and Social Welfare minister Paurina Mpariwa is the front runner to take over as women's assembly boss although she will have to brush aside the assembly's secretary-general , Sibusisiwe Budha-Masara, Midlands Province chairperson Lilian Timveos as well as Lynnet Karenyi Kore and Editor Matamisa.

The youth assembly election is a three-horse race in which its spokesperson Clifford Hlatshwayo is reportedly leading the pack against James Chidhakwa and Happymore Chidziva.

The congress is pencilled for October 30 to November 1.