Mwonzora battles fresh MDC revolt

MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora is facing imminent ouster after provincial chairpersons passed a vote of no confidence in his leadership, accusing him of mismanagement and loss of direction within the opposition party.

During a no-holds-barred meeting held last Sunday at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House in Harare, the chairpersons accused Mwonzora of presiding over a collapsing opposition party crippled by mismanagement, lack of transparency, and dwindling grassroots support.

The meeting, chaired by national chairman Solomon ‘Sox’ Chikohwero brought together the party provincial chairpersons from across the country.

Mwonzora, however, did not attend, sending an apology through the chair as he was said to be attending a funeral in Nyanga.

According to minutes of the meeting seen by The Standard, the chairpersons were angered by reports that Mwonzora had allegedly planned to convene a national council meeting without notifying them, viewing it as yet another attempt to sideline provincial leaders.

According to the minutes, Manicaland provincial chairperson David Tekeshe said the MDC-T had lost its appeal under Mwonzora’s leadership, contrasting it with former leader Nelson Chamisa’s ability to energise supporters and attract crowds.

“Chamisa was able to pull numbers with CCC [Citizens Coalition for Change] because he told the people that MDC had been captured by Zanu PF,” the minutes read in part.

“Seemingly easy for the MDC to hire the Rainbow Towers conference centre and preference to use Zupco buses for the 2020 extra ordinary congress tainted us black as Zanu PF.

“If indeed there is a national council meeting, how come provincial chairpersons haven’t been notified?

“It appears as if the presidium is only concerned about rental funds, not the party.”

The chairpersons accused Mwonzora of centralising power and neglecting party structures.

“The fish head is rotten, making the entire fish unpleasant,” the minutes read.

“The face of that party, the president, has contaminated every element, from top to bottom.

“It appears as if the funeral issue is just a diplomatic excuse not to meet the provincial chairpersons.

MDC-T Harare provincial chairperson, one Macheza, accused the party leaders of creating confusion within structures and failing to implement resolutions, including the unclear position of party vehicles reportedly bought from South Africa ahead of the 2023 elections.

“Leadership must lead as leaders,” the minutes added.

“Some of us did not go for campaigns because the leadership said those who don’t want can stay at home.

“We did not expect such words from leadership.”

Leaders from Midlands province said the MDC-T had reached its lowest point in history, with supporters disillusioned and structures collapsing.

“At the moment, we have no capacity to fire each other because there are no people to rejuvenate our MDC.

“Leadership should desist from posting party gatherings on social media as it worsens the perception that the MDC is dead.”

Mwonzora took over the MDC-T presidency in 2021 following a court ruling that handed him control of the MDC Alliance name, assets, and party headquarters.

The move deepened divisions within the opposition and forced Chamisa to form the CCC.

However, Mwonzora’s tenure has been marred by financial troubles and legal battles.

He is currently fighting a court case filed by former party employees demanding unpaid salaries, while critics accuse him of running down the party’s structures and credibility.

MDC national chairperson Solomon Chikohwero confirmed the meeting but said the minutes seen by The Standard were internal documents that had not yet been officially adopted.

“Those minutes were of the meeting held by provincial chairpersons,” Chikohwero told The Standard when contacted for comment.

“On Sunday (today) the president is meeting the provincial chairpersons, and those are the grievances, which they forwarded to him.

“He is the one who called the chairpersons to respond to those issues.

“Those minutes have not yet been signed for and they are not official, so I can’t comment on them.”

Efforts to get comment from Mwonzora were in vain as he was not picking up calls. Previously the MDC leader has survived ouster plots by former top liutenants such as Thokozani Khupe, Morgen Komichi and Elias Mudzuri who accused him of personalising. Standard