NEWLY-ELECTED MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora, whose position is hotly-disputed by his rivals who walked out of the party’s recent chaotic congress, says his challengers Thokozani Khupe and Elias Mudzuri will be substantive first and second vice-presidents respectively as he moved to announce his new interim executive today.
Morgen Komichi, another of his challengers during Sunday’s discretely poll in Harare, was appointed national chairperson.Mwonzora said this was in line with the party’s constitution which says the leaders shall revert back to their original positions.
The controversial opposition leader also condemned and threatened stern action against suspected followers who reportedly assaulted Khupe during Sunday’s tense events when the opposition party held its extraordinary congress at the Harare International Conference Centre.
The skirmishes were torched by an attempt by the Khupe to stop the voting process citing poll fraud and rigging by Mwonzora, then party secretary-general.The opposition senator declared it was not his intention to victimise anybody.
Mwonzora also hinted on his leadership making overtures towards the rival MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa and Zanu PF under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The congress followed a Supreme Court ruling that ordered an extraordinary event to elect the late founding MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s successor.
Chamisa seized power after Tsvangirai’s death in February 2018, went on to challenge Mnangagwa – who won by a wafer-thin margin – in the 2018 presidential election and took control of the party now known as MDC Alliance.
However, Khupe and her rivals fought Chamisa in the courts, leading to the congress. Chamisa remains in charge of his own party despite recalls of its MPs and councillors by Khupe and MDC-T, leveraging the Supreme Court order. – Staff Writer.
