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Mr Mudzuri

Takunda Maodza Assistant News Editor
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is unlikely to be contested at congress in October amid revelations Mr Elias Mudzuri, who was eyeing party presidency, is developing cold feet.
Reliable sources within the MDC-T say while Mr Mudzuri was fast backtracking on his ambitions, other senior party members were tearing each other apart as the race hots up.

On Wednesday Mr Mudzuri claimed he was never in the race for Mr Tsvangirai’s job.

“I was never in the race. It is people that nominate leaders. I never offered myself. Leaders come from the people. I do not give myself leadership. Unozvipa sei leadership yausingakwane?

“I have never asked for any position all my life, I have been given positions by the people. You are actually sponsored by the people. It is the public that starts debate. Haungonyuki,” he said.

Mr Mudzuri said it was the media that speculated that he wanted the MDC-T presidency. But some quarters within the MDC-T insist that Mr Mudzuri intends to surprise Mr Tsvangirai at congress and is playing his cards close to his chest.

The sources claimed that Mr Mudzuri now has strong influence in some provinces like Harare and Masvingo and is making secret manoeuvres to contest Mr Tsvangirai, whose leadership has been dented by consistent defeat to Zanu-PF in national elections.

The sources say MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora and Mr Tapiwa Mashakada are eyeing the secretary-general post. The post was left vacant by Mr Tendai Biti, who is now with the Renewal Team after breaking ranks with the MDC-T.

Mr Obert Gutu and Mrs Theresa Makone are gunning for the treasurer-general post. The post is deemed vacant as the incumbent Mr Roy Bennett has fallen out of favour with Mr Tsvangirai, whom he accuses of dictatorial tendencies and leadership failure.

Ms Paurina Mpariwa is eyeing the deputy secretary-general post while Mrs Lillian Timveos is tipped to take over as chair of the Women Assembly.
“Mr Morgen Komichi is eyeing the 2nd vice President post. Mr Lovemore Moyo is likely to be retained as the national chair.

“Mr Obert Gutu is frontrunner for the treasurer-general post. Mrs Theresa Makone is also interested in the treasurer-general post. Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is likely to be unchallenged because Mr Elias Mudzuri is developing cold feet.

“Ms Thokozani Khupe is set to retain the 1st vice president post,” said a highly placed source within the MDC-T. It is believed MDC-T national organising secretary Mr Nelson Chamisa is targeting the deputy national chairperson position. Deputy organising secretary Mr Abednigo Bhebhe is reportedly contemplating taking over from Mr Chamisa.

“Chamisa, who initially was eyeing the secretary-general position, now wants to be the deputy national chair after noticing that Mr Mwonzora has covered a lot of ground in canvassing for support.

“The grassroots is also not happy with the manner he organised the party for the 2013 harmonised elections,” another source said.

Sources claim Mr Amos Chibaya is also vying for the national organising secretary position while Mr Komichi aggressively pushed for the amendment of the MDC-T constitution to enable him land the 2nd Vice President post.

Mr Chamisa was quoted in the media this week confirming the party’s congress would run from October 31 to November 1 at the City Sports Centre in Harare.

While Mr Mwonzora was not answering his mobile phone, Mr Chamisa laughed off reports that he was eyeing the deputy national chairman position and accused The Herald of trying to belittle him.

“Speculation has not been criminalised in the our constitution but it is the structures and the organs of the party that define leadership. But why is The Herald relegating me to the deputy chair?” he said.