MDC factions face off in Chitungwiza, Kadoma

MDC factions face off in Chitungwiza, Kadoma

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By Lebo Nkatazo

THE feuding factions of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will face off again in the Chitungwiza and Kadoma mayoral elections whose voters' roll opened for inspection on Monday.

In their latest clash in Budiriro, Emmanuel Chisvuure of Morgan Tsvangirai's faction won the Budiriro parliamentary seat, beating the Zanu PF candidate and that of the rival faction led by Arthur Mutambara.

On Tuesday, Gabriel Chaibva, spokesman for Mutambara's faction, said despite the loss in Budiriro they would contest the elections.

He said: "The issue of elections is a congressional matter. At congress it was one of the resolution that the electoral process is the best way. It is an opportunity never to be missed."

Officials from Tsvangirai's faction are on record as saying their congress resolved to participate "in strategic elections" such as the forthcoming mayoral polls.

In a notice published Monday, Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede said the voters' inspection would end on June 11 but could not give polling dates as it is President Robert Mugabe's prerogative.

Sources, however, said it would be within three months.

Mudede added that 500 voters in the two towns risk being struck off the register for giving wrong addresses unless they take corrective measures within two weeks.

The Kadoma seat is currently held by Zanu PF's Fani Phiri while Chitungwiza is being run by a government appointed commission after the suspension of the MDC's Gilbert Shoko.
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