(Last Updated on February 6, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – The MDC-T’s national council on Saturday met to discuss several outstanding issues from the party’s extraordinary congress held in December last year.
In a statement following the meeting, the party’s spokesperson Witness Dube said the NC had ratified several appointments made by Douglas Mwonzora after he was elected the president of the party.
“The National Executive and National Council today met, as an extension of the Extra Ordinary Congress, to consider and resolve on a number of internally and externally focused issues. Key on the agenda were reports from The President, The National Chairman, and The Secretary-General who heads the party’s Finance and Administration Committee…
“The president’s appointment and the full complement of National Executive Members was ratified by the National Council,” said Dube.
These appointments included Giles Mutseyekwa [Deputy National Chairperson], Dr Tichinani Mavetera [Deputy Secretary General], Rhino Mashaya [Deputy National Organ], Witness Dube [Secretary for Information and Publicity], Yvonne Musarurwa National Youth Chairperson.
He said the council also moved to amend the party’s constitution to create the position of second Vice President which was offered to one of the losing candidates during the congress, Elias Mudzuri.
“The National Council, sitting as an extension of Congress, moved to amend the MDC constitution to create the position of a Second Vice President in the party. This was an effort in aligning the party constitution with that of the country, as well as closing a leadership vacuum that has potential of creating instability within the party. In that regard Hon Senator Elias Mudzuri is now officially the Second Vice President of the MDC-T, with Dr Thokozani Khupe as 1st Vice President,” he added.
Mwonzora won the party’s leadership battle during a hotly disputed congress which was marred with violence and allegations of voter fraud.
In a bid to unite the party, he ensured the losing candidates maintained their previous positions in what was largely seen as an attempt to ‘buy’ the loyalty of a disgruntled core of the party.
Dube also said the party had resolved to readmit former members who had expressed interest in rejoining the party, notably was Dorcas Sibanda and Abednico Bhebhe.
Bhebhe was expelled from the party before the extraordinary congress on allegations of supporting another party although reports were that this was part of a plan to clear the path to victory for then acting President Thokozani Khupe.