Moyo furious with MDC challenge

Moyo furious with MDC challenge

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By Fikile Mapala

THE independent MP for Tsholotsho Professor Jonathan Moyo is furious with the MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara after it fielded a candidate to challenge him in Tsholotsho North against a reported “gentlemen’s agreement” that he would be left a clean field to fight Zanu PF.

The MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai did not field a candidate in the constituency for the March 29 elections.

Mgezelwa Ncube successfully filed his nomination papers on Friday to stand against Moyo -- sending a clear indication that the opposition faction had reneged on the unwritten pact.

Alice Dube will represent Zanu PF in the constituency which Moyo – just kicked out of his ministerial post -- won in 2005, beating Zanu PF and MDC candidates.

Moyo is said to have already expressed his disappointment with MDC (Mutambara) secretary general Welshman Ncube, a sentiment further expressed in discussions with the Tsvangirai faction’s secretary general Tendai Biti and spokesman, Nelson Chamisa.

“He is very furious with the Mutambara faction for reneging on an earlier agreement which had allowed Moyo to face Zanu PF with the support of the two MDC factions in Tsholotsho. He is phoning everyone and protesting what he thinks is an act of betrayal by the Mutambara group,” a source revealed.

Chamisa confirmed that the two MDC factions had entered into an agreement with the Tsholotsho MP not to field candidates in the newly-created Tsholotsho North constituency.

Chamisa said: “We did not field a candidate in Tsholotsho North constituency because we made an undertaking that we would allow the sitting MP to fight against Zanu PF with our support. The idea is to support all progressive forces fighting against Mugabe in order to achieve democratic change in Zimbabwe.”

Chamisa said he was surprised that the Mutambara faction had fielded a candidate in Tsholotsho North against a mutual but informal undertaking to back Moyo.

He also confirmed that Moyo had telephoned him about the Tsholotsho debacle but refused to shed more light on the details of the discussion citing confidentiality.

Moyo declined to comment on Tuesday, saying he was driving to Bulawayo.

Priscilla Misihairabwi, the MDC’s (Mutambara) deputy secretary general said: “We tried repeatedly to discuss with Moyo his intentions about the Tsholotsho seat but we got nowhere with that.”
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