Candidate blasts MDC-Alliance

ASPIRING MDC National Assembly member for Shurugwi South Mr Daniel Mabonga has castigated the party leadership for dumping him in the 11th hour by demanding that he withdraws his candidature in favour of an MDC-Alliance candidate.

Mr Mabonga had successfully filed his papers together with South Africa-based Mr Oshed Mutunami to contest the Shurugwi South Constituency under the MDC-Alliance banner.

MDC chief of staff Mr Cecil Zvidzayi recently wrote to Mr Mabonga, demanding that he withdraws his candidature to pave way for Mr Mutunami, who is from the Prof Welshman Ncube-led MDC.

The letter also threatens Mr Mabonga with expulsion if he continues to contest as a parallel candidate under the MDC-Alliance banner. In an interview, Mr Mabonga said he felt betrayed by the party which he worked for so hard for many years.

He said even people in the constituency were very disappointed by the party’s decision to impose the little-known candidate on them.

“It’s a great betrayal. I have been working in the constituency for years, helping people and my home had become a social welfare centre helping people with funeral funds and everything, only to be denied the chance to represent the same people at the last minute.

“I have offered my trucks and funded the party projects on several occasions. I spent thousands of dollars buying party regalia, only to be told that I am not the party candidate, it’s killing the party,” he said.

Mr Mabonga said he will not with draw his candidature and was adamant he will remain a party member.