All set for MDC’s second national congress this weekend

By Tichaona Sibanda
13 March 2006

The long awaited second MDC national congress is set to kick off in Harare this Friday with reports that party leader Morgan Tsvangirai will retain his post unopposed.

Although it has generally been an open secret that Tsvangirai would face no challengers, it came as a surprise at the close of the nomination process when three other party heavyweights, Isaac Matongo, Roy Bennett and Sekai Holland emerged unopposed on Sunday.

The trio would be duly elected for the posts of National Chairman, Treasurer and Vice-national chairman respectively during the second day of the congress on Saturday.

The congress, to be held at the city sports centre in the capital, kicks off Friday with the accreditation of over 15 000 delegates expected from all over the country. Saturday has been reserved for elections and Tsvangirai is expected to cap off the day with a rallying speech at which he is expected to outline the party’s new and aggressive policy.

Grace Gwinjeh, former party representative at the European Union in Brussels said elections will be held for the post of secretary-general, Vice-President and Deputy Secretary-General.

She said lawyer and Harare East MP Tendai Biti will battle it out with Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada and party elections director Ian Makone for the Secretary-General’s post.

Former Harare Mayor Elias Mudzuri will stand against Getrude Mtombeni for the post of national organising secretary. Makokoba MP Thokozani Khupe is being challenged by former Matebeleland North Governor Welshman Mabhena, for the post of party Vice-President. Matobo MP Lovemore Moyo and Pauline Mpariwa, MP for Mufakose in Harare will fight for the Deputy Secretary-General’s post.

A highly placed source in the MDC said letters of invitation have also been sent out to members from the pro-senate faction, including the recently elected President of that faction Arthur Mutambara.

‘During our meeting yesterday (Sunday) after the Mbare rally, we were told that Mutambara had actually indicated that he would attend. Others expected to attend are members of the diplomatic community as well as local and foreign observers,’ said the source.

The congress is also expected to deliberate and adopt the party’s new constitution. Eddie Cross, a national executive member of the party, said rural folk are selling goats and cattle to raise funds to cover their transport costs.

Writing in his weekly column Cross said; ‘We have cut our budget to the bone, no T-shirts, no caps or bandana’s. We have told delegates they must get to congress on their own steam and rural folk are selling goats and cattle to raise funds.’

Meanwhile a statement released by the MDC on Monday said Zanu PF thugs are back to their usual habits. The party claims that Zanu (PF) thugs ambushed and beat up innocent MDC supporters coming from a rally in Mbare, Harare.

‘Contrary to their oft-repeated pledge to non-violence, the rowdy Zanu PF hooligans seemed irked by the successful rally attended by 15 000 people at the Stodart grounds, which was addressed by President Morgan Tsvangirai. The crime by MDC supporters was that they wanted to board commuter buses while wearing MDC T-shirts. Four party members are detained at Avenues Clinic where one of them is critical after sustaining injuries during the assault, which was masterminded by one Oripa, a member of the police special constabulary who resides at number 18, block 14 Matapi Hostels in Mbare. A report was made at Mbare police station but the suspects were not arrested,’ said the statement.