{"id":414200,"date":"2011-05-02T09:25:08","date_gmt":"2011-05-02T09:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/02\/mdc-t-holds-make-or-break-congress\/"},"modified":"2011-05-02T09:25:08","modified_gmt":"2011-05-02T09:25:08","slug":"mdc-t-holds-make-or-break-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/02\/mdc-t-holds-make-or-break-congress\/","title":{"rendered":"MDC-T Holds Make-Or-Break Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Financial Gazette<\/a> (Harare)<\/p>\n

Levi Mukarati<\/p>\n

29 April 2011<\/p>\n

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PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) holds its make-or-break congress in Bulawayo today amid clear indications all is not well in the labour backed party ahead of planned general and presidential elections to mark the end of the fractious inclusive government.<\/p>\n

The faction-riddled party, which is still to recover from the infamous 2005 split, has in recent weeks been rocked by internal violence as party supporters and officials fought running battles over the selection of candidates to be elected to provincial executive positions.<\/p>\n

The violence has been vicious in the host city, Bulawayo, with Tsvangirai on Easter Monday dashing to the second largest city in desperate attempts to heal the rifts ahead of his party’s congress which kicks-off today and ends tomorrow.<\/p>\n

For the third time last Friday, the MDC-T failed to conclude its provincial elections in Bulawayo after violence broke out among supporters of two factions – one led by newly elected chairperson, Gorden Moyo and the other linked to deposed chairperson, Senator Matson Hlalo.<\/p>\n

Twenty two youths were reportedly arrested over the violence with one person said to be fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed with a knife.<\/p>\n

Although Tsvangirai will be re-elected unopposed as the MDC-T president critics said it would be fool-hardy for the veteran trade unionist to pretend that all was well on the eve of the elective gathering to be attended by an estimated 6 000 delegates.<\/p>\n

Given the political rumbling and violence in the MDC-T, critics are adamant the party faced an acid test to heal the rifts in its structures and prepare its cadres for another bruising encounter with ZANU-PF.<\/p>\n

Faced with such an acid test, those close to Tsvangirai said he was confident of emerging from the Bulawayo congress revitalised and ready for another contest against President Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF.<\/p>\n

Darlington Muzeza, a South African based commentator, said democracy was at stake in the labour-backed party due to alleged imposition of leaders.<\/p>\n

Fears also abound that if poorly managed, the congress might trigger another split similar to the 2005 fallout.<\/p>\n

“The MDC is known as the merchant of political violence and when ZANU-PF argues that way, people take it as propaganda. However, the intensity of violence is self-telling of the inherent nature of the party as intolerant to internal de-mocracy. People should be worried abo-ut the MDC-T if it can be trusted with power to govern the country. The congress will be a big test for the MDC-T,” said Muzeza.<\/p>\n

Although nomination of candidates was finalised at Harvest House on Friday, party spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa, said the final list of the nominees would be announced on Tuesday. This has raised fears that the party could be in a quandary over internal fissures likely to further divide it.<\/p>\n

Critics say it would not help the party if the Bulawayo congress is to endorse leaders cherry-picked by the powers-that-be in the MDC-T at a time when a complete overhaul within its top echelons was needed to instil confidence among the party’s supporters.<\/p>\n

They also warned that the MDC-T must not be seen to be following the ZANU-PF footpath where no one dares challenge the incumbent.<\/p>\n

President Mugabe has been at the helm of his party for more than three decades. His rival, Tsvangirai, has not been challenged since forming the MDC-T in 1999.<\/p>\n

It is generally felt that it is taboo to discuss President Mugabe’s succession in ZANU-PF without inviting trouble, something said to be slowly creeping into the MDC-T.<\/p>\n

Analysts say the decision by the MDC-T to close debate on Tsvangirai’s post was deliberate as no-one, for now, has the credentials to stand against President Mugabe in any election.<\/p>\n

But more worrying for the MDC-T is the escalation of violence within its ranks.<\/p>\n

Hopewell Gumbo, a Harare based analyst, said the MDC-T was facing a tough time in trying to revisit and adhere to its founding principles.<\/p>\n

“It is up to the emerging or new leadership to revisit the founding principles and redefine their mission. The violence characterising the MDC-T should be condemned at all costs,” said Gumbo.<\/p>\n

Goodson Nguni, a fiery critic of Tsvangirai and the MDC-T, predicted more problems for the party after its congress on Friday.<\/p>\n

“The situation is just out of hand as evidenced by the violence, tribalism, factionalism and indiscipline. I do not see Tsvangirai managing these problems and coming up with a strong position against these at the congress,” said Nguni, himself a member of ZANU-PF. “Unlike ZANU-PF, there is no discipline in the MDC-T and that is a major stumbling block in dealing with problems affecting the party. Only time will tell. But I foresee more problems to follow and if elections are to be held this year the problems will re-emerge during primary elections.”<\/p>\n

The MDC-T congress will see Thokozani Khupe and Norman Mabhena vying for the vice-presidency while Tendai Biti will square off with Eliphas Mukonoweshuro for the secretary general position.<\/p>\n

Incumbent national chairperson, Lovemore Moyo, will battle it out with Lucia Matibenga, Morgan Komichi, Blessing Chebundo and Alexio Musundire.<\/p>\n

The treasurer’s post is being contested by Elton Mangoma, Sekai Holland and Roy Bennett<\/p>\n

Chamisa is reportedly eying the position of national organising secretary presently held by Elias Mudzuri.<\/p>\n

Tongai Matutu, Douglas Mwo-nzora and Obert Gutu are likely to contest in the race for the information and publicity secretary’s position.<\/p>\n

Evelyn Masaiti, Editor Matamisa and Theresa Makone will battle for the women’s assembly chairperson while Solomon Madzore, Amos Chibaya and Promise Mukasi will fight for the youth league leadership post.<\/p>\n

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\nMDC-T Holds Make-Or-Break Congress<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Financial Gazette (Harare) Levi Mukarati 29 April 2011 PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) holds its make-or-break congress in Bulawayo today amid clear indications all is not well in the labour backed party ahead of planned general and presidential elections to mark the end of the fractious inclusive government. The faction-riddled party, which is still to recover from the infamous 2005 split, has in recent weeks been rocked by internal violence as party supporters and officials fought running battles over the selection of candidates to be elected to provincial executive positions. The violence has been vicious in the host city, Bulawayo, with Tsvangirai on Easter Monday dashing to the second largest city in desperate attempts to heal the rifts ahead of his party’s congress which kicks-off today and ends tomorrow<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":414201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-414200","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\nMDC-T Holds Make-Or-Break Congress - Ghanamma.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/02\/mdc-t-holds-make-or-break-congress\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"MDC-T Holds Make-Or-Break Congress - Ghanamma.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Financial Gazette (Harare) Levi Mukarati 29 April 2011 PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) holds its make-or-break congress in Bulawayo today amid clear indications all is not well in the labour backed party ahead of planned general and presidential elections to mark the end of the fractious inclusive government. 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