Moses Matenga
HARARE – Former Zanu PF G40 faction kingpins now under the National Patriotic Front banner have caused a serious rift in the MDC Alliance after they were snuck in as candidates in six constituencies earmarked for the Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC.
Senior officials in the MDC confirmed to Business Times that all was not well in the coalition over the inclusion of the NPF members but admitted there was little they could do about it.
The six former G40 kingpins who have been offered seats include Shadreck Mashayamombe who will be contesting in Harare South and Sarah Mahoka who is earmarked for the Hurungwe constituency post. Former Zanu PF Masvingo provincial political commissar, Jeppy Jaboon and former politburo member Kudakwashe Bhasikiti are also standing as MDC Alliance parliamentary candidates.
MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwai said: “It is true that some of the seats meant for us were taken by some NPF members but we do not have an explanation for now.”
“There was no agreement for those seats to be given to NPF. We want to give internal processes a chance and want to know who brought those people into the MDC Alliance. However, we can’t do much since the nomination court sat and will not sit again,” Chihwai said.
A senior official took to social media to register his displeasure over Mahoka.
The former Zanu PF officials were expelled from the party for allegedly usurping the executive powers of then President Mugabe leading to an operation code named “Operation Restore Legacy” that led to the former President’s resignation.
However, the Chamisa-led MDC-T recently defended the move saying it was meant to win seats where some parties had deployed “weaker” candidates. The development has affected trust in the MDC Alliance with different parties who were part of the arrangement crying foul.
