7 jostle for MDC-Alliance positions ahead of congress

AT least seven candidates are eyeing the vice presidency post in the MDC-Alliance as jostling for positions hots up ahead of the party’s congress set for month.

It also emerged that current president Mr Nelson Chamisa is also going to be subjected to an election for the first time although he had made frantic efforts to avoid the polls.

MDC-Alliance sources yesterday said that Mr Chamisa was definitely going to be challenged by secretary general Mr Douglas Mwonzora.

They further intimated that vice president Engineer Elias Mudzuri was yet to openly declare his interests although he is being touted as one of the front runners for the top post.

Violence has now escalated within the party as senior members seek to control provincial structures that will vote during the congress.

Those who have expressed interest to contest the VP post include Professor Welshman Ncube, Messrs Tendai Biti, Felex Magalela Sibanda and Morgen Komichi.

Other contenders are Ms Lilian Timvios, Ms Lynnette Karenyi and Ms Tabitha Khumalo.

“We have entered the home stretch and people are now declaring their interests,” said an MDCAlliance insider.

“Mr Chamisa had tried hard to avoid elections but the secretary general is convinced that he can wrestle the position. He is riding on the back of the fact that he once beat Mr Chamisa during the last congress when both officials contested for the secretary general post. Mr Chamisa is not comfortable with the decision by Mr Mwonzora because literally as the secretary general, Mr Mwonzora is the custodian of party structures. Chamisa feared that his rival might have tampered with the structures in his favour.

“As for the vice presidency, I know seven candidates have so far thrown in their hats. We are told the number may still go up to 10 candidates as more are still weighing their options.

“So far, those who have declared interest for that post are Professor Welshman Ncube, Messrs Tendai Biti, Felex Magalela Sibanda and Morgen Komichi, Lilian Timvios, Lynnette Karenyi and Tabitha Khumalo.”

A document believed to have leaked from the MDC-Alliance’s organising department authored by the party’s North American province showed that Mr Biti and Mr Mwonzora have fallen out of favour.

The province did not nominate the two for any position.

It nominated Mr David Coltart for the post of treasurer and Mr Charlton Hwende for the secretary general position.

Mr Jacob Mafume was nominated for the position of spokesperson deputised by Mr Luke Tamborinyoka.

Mr Mafume, who is the current spokesperson, could not be reached for comment yesterday on these developments as his mobile phone went unanswered several times.