LEAKED messages from the social media platform WhatsApp have exposed deep-seated divisions in the MDC-T party following its controversial extraordinary congress (EOC) held last week, which saw Douglas Mwonzora emerge the party’s new leader.
In a string of conversations under the chat group, Defending Morgan Tsvangirai Legacy (DMTL), and MDC-T pressure group, party members are up-in-arms over how Mwonzora usurped power from other candidates, including then interim president Thokozani Khupe, Elias Mudzuri, and Morgen Komichi.
DMTL information secretary Warship Dumba said Mwonzora grabbed power using violence and should be challenged in court.
“They (Mwonzora and MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa) both grabbed power using violence and chicanery. Both are guilty of the same offence,” he said.
Dumba, a former Harare councillor, told other group members that DMTL was contemplating taking Mwonzora to court over allegations of rigging the party’s internal poll.
“In the meantime, we are busy compiling evidence that we would like to take to court for litigation. We cannot say principle is below the party because lack of democratic principles by Zanu PF led to the formation of the MDC. If we accept rigged elections within our party, saying the party must move on then we have no moral standing to slam Zanu PF for rigging elections.”
Dumba added: “If Mr Mwonzora abused political parties’ finances while he was the secretary-general of the party what more when he is president? We would like to make it categorically clear to the world that as DMTL, we unambiguously condemn the EOC process and its outcome.”
He also accused Mwonzora of bussing non-MDC-T 2014 party structures to vote at the congress.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“We would not like to say much about anything at the moment since we have already started our legal challenge of that shameful event where non-members of the party were bussed and brought in to vote as delegates of 2014. We wouldn’t like to bless any election where members were beaten with others hospitalised all in the name of one candidate.”
Another unidentified DMTL member said he was shocked that DMTL national coordinator only identified as Maravanyika congratulated Mwonzora for winning the election.
“It has come to us as shock to note that DMTL national co-ordinator (Maravanyika) has taken it upon himself to congratulate Mwonzora for having been declared the new MDC-T president after a sham EOC held at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on December 27 2020,” wrote one disgruntled member.
“The MDC members and the world at large must know that it is the position of DMTL that we see no difference between what Nelson Chamisa (MDC Alliance leader) and Douglas Mwonzora did.”
Mwonzora could not be reached for comment. — New Zimbabwe l Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
