MDC factions fielding 2 separate candidates for council elections as rift widens

By Violet Gonda

13 January 2006

Confusion as rival MDC factions submits candidates for council by-election in Chitingwiza. It’s reported that the two camps are planning to field separate candidate for the by-election scheduled for this Saturday. This is also despite earlier reports from party officials that the sentiment from the people on the ground is that there are no more elections because of the flawed electoral process in the country and the interference by the government in council activities.

On the issue of the party fielding two candidates, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa from the anti-senate camp, said this is a decision that was made purely at a local level and his side has written to the district chapter to get information as to how the party has fielded two different candidates under the MDC. He believes the matter will be rectified with the party’s membership.

The pro-senate camp could not be reached for comment to discuss this issue.

The two camps have differed on fundamental policies on how to move the party forward and this came to a head last October over the issue of participation in the controversial senate elections.

The side led by party president Morgan Tsvangirai has said it will participate in elections but reserve the right to boycott certain elections like the senatorial elections which they say are not necessary and have nothing to do with the struggle.

However, the pro-senate camp has maintained that as a political party it will participate in all political processes.

When asked on whether they were contradicting issues by boycotting the senate on one hand and on the other participating in other elections; Chamisa said there is no contradiction as the senate elections touched on the very heart of the MDC founding principles. He said the MDC will not be party to any election that is not going to be part and parcel of the change agenda and the democratic struggle. Asked what is to be gained by participating in council elections Chamisa said the local government is very critical in terms of service delivery. He also said, “if there is an election to elect a toilet attendant, surely the MDC is not going to participate in that election?”

MDC has in the past been accused of not having a clear policy or strategy over the issue of participation. Last week pro-boycott supporter and MDC official Roy Bennett said the party should not be participating in elections “with a dictatorial, oppressive, human rights abusive government.”

The outspoken MDC official said the MDC should only go back into elections when the process is free and fair. Bennett said, “ the minute the people elect people into power, like they did with the mayors and the councillors, these people are immediately victimised by ZANU PF or fired.”

Chamisa noted that intense debate is underway on the effectiveness of elections but said this does not mean that a decision has been made yet.

Meanwhile a four-member delegation made up of Gibson Sibanda, Welshman Ncube, Gift Chimanikire and legislator Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday to give the media and diplomats their side of the story.

The group has also who were suing their president for defamation have revised their claims from $50 billion to $100 billion, arguing they have unearthed more evidence showing the extent to which they suffered damages.