MDC -Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s alleged imposition of candidates in the last general elections is haunting him and resulting in most of his allies suffering heavy defeats to Douglas Mwonzora aligned candidates in the district congress elections.
The elections are currently underway ahead of the national elective congress to be held on May 24 to May 26.
There has been a ‘false start’ in the district congress elections resulting in the St Mary’s Chitungwiza elections being deferred while skirmishes marred the elections in Zengeza West.
Sources who spoke to The Zim Morning Post confirmed that disgruntled members are working very hard to oust Chamisa at the May national elective congress.
“The problem is that disgruntled members of the party are fighting Nero (Nelson Chamisa) they want him out at the congress,” said our source.
Footprints of Vanguard leader Shakespeare Mukoyi were visible in the shocking defeats of Chamisa’s allies as he is believed to have been irked by the imposition of Charlton Hwende in Kuwadzana constituency during last year’s harmonised elections.
Last year Mukoyi and Hwende had clashes during the primary elections in Kuwadzana East primary elections where Chamisa is alleged to have imposed Hwende.
Sources said Mukoyi is the new ‘kingmaker’ of the party and is pushing the ascendency of Mwonzora’s allies to the party’s structures.
Apart from Kuwadzana, the imposition of candidates during the harmonised elections were also noted in Epworth, Harare West, Masvingo, Marondera and Mutare .
Although Mwonzora has not yet been nominated by any province or any structure, the battle to the MDC presidency seems to be centred around him and Chamisa.
Mwonzora gains support from the party structures which he controls and superintends as the party secretary general whilst Chamisa is popular among the general population.
MDC-A will hold their elective congress in May for the first time without their founding leader the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
Violence has reared its ugly head in the run up to this historic and potentially explosive elective congress.
“Ward 40 in Dzivaresekwa was won by a Mwonzora ally and in other wards they shared spoils however the elections for lower structures are still to be contested”
