MDC Midlands to re-run district congress

Published: 01 May 2019

MDC Midlands province has been ordered by the party's national organising committee to re-run district congresses where the electoral process was marred by irregularities.

Takavafira Zhou, the MDC Midlands provincial spokesperson confirmed the development and said the date for the new rounds of congresses in the four districts would be announced soon.

The affected districts are Gokwe-Kabuyuni, Chiwundura, Kwekwe and Chirumanzu South.

"Teams led by the party's organising department have been set up to complete the task, and the respective constituencies would be officially notified of the dates," he said.

The major irregularity that marred the district congresses was participation and voting of in elligible delegates.

In some cases, candidates wishing to be voted into power bussed people who were not in the party structures to vote in the congresses. Sporadic cases of violence were also recorded due to jostling for posts between rival camps.

Zhou also indicated that the provincial executive meeting held on Sunday had begun the process of appointing portfolio secretaries from the province's 28 constituencies in order to ensure fair representation in the leadership.

The process started after the provincial executive resolved to incorporate at least three party cadres from each constituency into the main wing.

"Emphasis was also put on consistent and persistent service in the party, gender equity, alliance integration and post-provincial congress integration.

"All in all, 20 constituencies were dealt with and the remaining eight could not be worked on because of failure to submit CVs of preferred cadres seconded to be part of the provincial executive," said Zhou.

The Midlands province will this year host the MDC's fifth elective congress from May 24 to 26 in the provincial capital, Gweru.

Party president Nelson Chamisa will safely secure his post after being nominated by all the 13 provinces.

The late MDC founder, Morgan Tsvangirai's memorial was on the agenda at the Sunday meeting and Zhou urged MPs and Senators to assist supporters with transport to Buhera, where the event is set to be held this Saturday.
- newsday

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