Christopher Makaza
Some MDC heavyweights who fell by the wayside during the recently held MDC Gweru congress, have teamed up with other former disgruntled MDC members to forge ahead with challenging Chamisa`s legitimacy.
Defend Morgan Tsvangirai Legacy (DMTL) is reportedly at the forefront of coordinating the regrouping exercise. The DMTL organised a meeting held in Harare last week where Douglas Mwonzora, Thokozani Khupe, Khupe`s spokesperson Khulekani Phugeni and more than 200 other delegates attended.
Speaking during the meeting, Mwonzora said that the agenda of the meeting was not to discuss issues to do with Chamisa but said that from his experience as a lawyer, chances of Chamisa`s court appeal were very slim.
“Morgan Tsvangirai had no power to appoint two deputies. Khupe was the elected Deputy hence had the constitutional right to act as an acting party president after Tsvangirai`s death,” he said.
Mwonzora highlighted that he attended the Gweru congress to observe plans by Chamisa and his party so that he craft his counter measures from an informed position adding that the moment Chamisa`s appeal will be dismissed, an extra ordinary congress will be held.
Khupe said that she wanted to recall all MDC legislators and councillors who are disregarding party constitution adding that she wants to hold National Council meeting after which Mwonzora will draft notification of an extra ordinary congress.
Khupe tasked DMTL Chair, Edwin Dzambara to identify 2014 part structures adding that she wants to reposses all MDC assets including Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House. Close sources within MDC say Chamisa has since intensified security at the MRT House fearing that Khupe may seize it.
The sources revealed that Chamisa left more than 100 security details manning the building when they left for the Gweru congress. It is also alleged that MDC Secretary General, Chalton Hwende is allegedly paying vanguard members who are masquerading as vendors at the building.
The meeting resolved that the extra ordinary congress will be coordinated by; DMTL National Secretary for Information, Weber Chinyadza who will be responsible for coordinating Midlands, Masvingo and Mashonaland West, One Khumalo to coordinate Matebeleland North and South as well as Bulawayo provinces, one Matimba to coordinate Manicaland while one Manyeruke is responsible for Harare and Chitungwiza. Trainer Ruzvidzo will coordinate Mashonaland East.
The meeting also resolved to set up a finance committee headed by Khupe and Chinyadza to mobilise resources for the extra ordinary congress. A legal committee was also set up which will be headed by lawyers Lovemore Madhuku, Tapera Sengweni and Isabel Mwonzora.
The regrouping project has reportedly gained traction. Other senior members including Elias Mudzuri were supposed to attend the meeting but failed due to other commitments.
