Mutambara has clean race as Chimanikire pulls out

Mutambara has clean race as Chimanikire pulls out

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By Lebo Nkatazo and Violet Gonda

ARTHUR Mumtambara's coronation as leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was set to be confirmed Saturday following the withdrawl of Gift Chimanikire from the race.

Chimanikire withdrew from the race Friday following meetings with other senior party leaders of a break-away faction that is seeking to wrest control of the party from Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mutambara, a militant former student leader, is a Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics. He has lived most of his working life outside Zimbabwe, mainly in the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa.

A faction of the MDC led by Gibson Sibanda is holding its congress this weekend, with hundreds of delegates from across the country in attendence.

Also expected to be in attendence Saturday was National Constitutional Assembly leader, Lovemore Madhuku, who was expected to give a "solidarity speech", according to MDC spokesman, Paul Themba Nyathi.

Several diplomats from African countries and Europe were also set to attend, alongside representatives from the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu).

Also confirmed in attendence were representatives from churches, labour and civic groups.

Nyathi said: “We have in the past few weeks been surprised by the turnaround in the thinking of some of these groups. We have certainly received recognition from a number of civic groups. Others have said they don’t particularly support us but would like to be present to show solidarity.”

Tsvangirai's group plans to hold its own congress later in March and made an attempt to prevent the holding of this weekend's congress by the other faction, claiming it has the legal right to the party name.

New Zimbabwe.com understands that Gibson Sibanda will retain the party vice presidency. Professor Welshman Ncube is also favoured to retain the secretary general's portfolio, deputised by Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

Fletcher Dulini is likely to remain treasurer, while Chimanikire, formerly deputy secretary general, is likely to come in as party chairman. Nyathi is likely to retain the information portfolio.

Miriam Mushaye is likely to emerge as leader of the women's assembly.

Tsvangirai's group, through their lawyers, attempted to block this weekend's congress, but were rebuffed.

Said Nyathi: “Our legal team says our congress is constitutional and if this group is aggrieved they can avail themselves to any legal process. The time has come for us to move on … we hope after this congress we will be talking about how to get rid of Robert Mugabe.”

The two day congress will be held at the Amphitheatre at the Centenary Park in Bulawayo.
Additional reporting by SW Radio Africa
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