MDC-T Masvingo provincial executive on Thursday unanimously endorsed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as party president but dropped national organising secretary Elias Mudzuri ahead of the party’s elective congress at the end of this month.
The Masvingo provincial executive dropped Mudzuri from the list of its nominees and replaced him with party spokesman Nelson Chamisa whom it wants to lead the commissariat department.
Mudzuri’s political star has been waning following allegations that he was leading a faction, which according to MDC -T sources, wanted to topple Tsvangirai from the presidency.
The Wilstaff Sitemere-led Masvingo provincial executive also nominated current secretary general Tendai Biti to retain his post.
Biti shrugged off stiff challenge from Public Service minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro who had also been nominated but failed to garner enough support.
The provincial executive nominated Masvingo Central MP Tongai Matutu for the post of party spokesman.
Matutu beat Nyanga North MP Douglas Mwonzora who had also been nominated for the post of party spokesman but failed to get enough votes to win the nomination.
Matutu is secretary for the party’s provincial executive and also doubles up as the party’s provincial spokesman.
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Party deputy secretary general, Tapiwa Mashakada, was nominated to retain his post but some had preferred a woman for that post.
Although it could not be established on Thursday as to who was nominated to lead the women’s assembly, it emerged on Thursday that most members within the Masvingo provincial executive were opposed to incumbent chair Theresa Makone’s candidature.
In Masvingo, two distinct factions within the MDC-T have emerged – one led by Mukonoweshuro and the other led by Matutu.
The Mukonweshuro-led camp is reportedly behind Mudzuri while the Matutu camp supports Tsvangirai.
Sitemere said the nominations went on well and they were now geared up for the national congress.
