Political Reporter
Fissures have emerged within the MDC-T ahead of its elective congress slated for 18 December this year as that party’s secretary for programs and party business, Norest Marara is set to approach the courts to compel Douglas Mwonzora not to mutilate the party constitution.
A source who spoke to this publication said that Marara was arguing that the uncontested nomination of Douglas Mwonzora as MDC-T presidential candidate was the result of brazen intimidation of members and violation of that party’s constitution.
“Marara is challenging the uncontested nomination of Mwonzora as the MDC-T presidential candidate. He is arguing that the constitution was violated and members were intimidated to nominate Mwonzora. He is set to approach the courts to have the nomination process declared null and void,” said the source.
The source added that Marara was challenging his dismissal as a presidential candidate on account of not being within the MDC-T 2014 structures. The source added that Marara submits that he was a member of the MDC-T before 2014 and has former MDC-T vice president Thokozani Khupe and Morgan Komichi to bear witness to that.
The source added that it was not only Marara contesting the nomination process, but other senior members such as Komichi and Engineer Elias Mudzuri were also not happy with the nomination process as it was marred in violence and intimidation of members. According to the source, the nomination process did not only disempower Marara but also Mudzuri and Komichi who were both presidential hopefuls.
The source added that traditionally, the nomination of members seeking a party mandate at congress was done through party structures in the provinces and the national council would endorse all nominees awaiting elective congress. However, this was not done this year as Mwonzora imposed the process on members.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Marara’s court challenge was being bankrolled by Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader, Nelson Chamisa as he still has a vendetta against Mwonzora. Chamisa is believed to be working on a strategy to decimate the MDC-T before next year’s plebiscite and has identified Marara as the man who could do that job for him.
