Fractious MDC to field 2 candidates in Chegutu

Fractious MDC to field 2 candidates in Chegutu

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By Lebo Nkatazo

ZIMBABWE'S opposition Movement for Democratic Change's warring factions will square up again in mayoral elections in the small town of Chegutu in March, New Zimbabwe.com has learnt.

Both factions of the troubled party have indicated that they will field candidates, the second time the party would have done so inside three months.

Early last month, the party fielded candidates in local elections but lost to the ruling Zanu PF after the votes were split. During the concil elections, the MDC gave up control of what were previously safe seats in its urban stronghold of Chitungwiza and rural Matobo.

Incumbent MDC Chegutu mayor, Francis Dhlakama, whose term of office expired on December 10 last year has indicated that he belongs to a faction led by MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

He described it as the “real MDC”.

“There is only one MDC, that which is led by MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai,” Dhlakama said Wednesday.

On the same day, party deputy secretary general Gift Chimanikire said his faction, led by Tsvangirai's deputy Gibson Sibanda, had lined up three candidates who would battle it out to choose a mayoral candidate.

The MDC's poor showing in the council elections was attributed to squabbles precipitated by a dispute between senior party leaders and Tsvangirai over whether to participate or boycott Senate elections held last year.

The Chegutu mayoral elections should have been held in December, but Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission failed to facilitate the holding of elections.

The development has seen Dhlakama continuing his duties under provisions of the Urban Councils Act that stipulate that he can only relinquish his post upon the election of another office bearer.
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