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Squabbles rock MDC Manicaland structures

Politics
CHAOS is reigning supreme in MDC Manicaland provincial structures as top officials are clashing over the Mutasa Central district congress held recently.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

CHAOS is reigning supreme in MDC Manicaland provincial structures as top officials are clashing over the Mutasa Central district congress held recently.

This came after a faction aligned to newly-elected chairman and Dangamvura/Chikanga MP Prosper Mutseyami defeated a rival camp led by Mutasa Central MP Trevor Saruwaka.

Regis Madzara won the chairmanship post, defeating Rosemary Mukodza, who recently won the Mutasa Rural District Council ward 10 by-election.

Tendai Pfichi, who was vying for organising secretary position lost to one Maguu.

Sources told NewsDay yesterday that the Saruwaka faction wants a re-run, claiming that the elections were unfairly conducted.

“There is chaos in Mutare Central district as Saruwaka is refusing to recognise the elected structures because he fears for his position going into 2023. Madzara, who won the chairmanship position is a strong candidate who can compete with Saruwaka in 2023,” he said.

Saruwaka, however, yesterday dismissed the allegations.

“The party has internal complaints mechanisms to deal with any grievances, so if members follow the procedures, it cannot certainly be referred to as protectionism,” he said. Addressing party members on Sunday in Mutare, Mutseyami dismissed calls for a re-run.

“We have a disputed Mutasa Central district congress which I am very aware of. We don’t do our congress twice, but I am going to meet Saruwaka over the matter. But at the moment we are recognising Regis Madzara as our chairman,” he said

“Leadership of Mutasa Central district was elected by the people. If we have issues we can deal with them politically and we can come up with solutions politically. We are going to sit down with Saruwaka so that we can solve the matter amicably and move the party forward.”

Mutseyami dismissed assertions that he was not supporting people from the province.

This comes after the province nominated Chalton Hwende for the secretary-general post ahead of Douglas Mwonzora, who hails from Manicaland.

“It’s not an issue of supporting the people of Manicaland. It is not a matter of regions. I have heard people saying I am not supporting the people of Manicaland. This is not the issue. I want our president Nelson Chamisa to be at State House, that is what just I want,” he said.