MDC-T Congress, Succession Battle Under The Spotlight

Harare - The democracy ball is rolling within the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC-T) party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as the party is
set for a congress this weekend to elect a new leadership.


Some political commentators and critics see the congress as key because
those who shall get key positions of party Secretary General and National
Organiser are seen as the most likely candidates to take over from incumbent
party President when his term eventually comes to an end. If elected at this
congress, which is most likely, Tsvangirai will be serving his third term as
party leader and probably his last.

A lot of canvassing for votes has been going on in recent weeks. Some of the
political shenanigans have threatened to tear the party through its seams.
The stakes are so high that even the post of secretary general, currently
being held by Harare east Member of Parliament and Finance Minister Tendai
Biti, is being hotly pursued by Public Service Minister Professor Eliphas
Mukonoweshuro and Gutu South Member of Parliament.

The political trickery which has seen violence occurring during the
provincial elections has prompted Tsvangirai to tour the country's provinces
to quell the high tempers in the party as potential candidates jostle for
positions.

An interesting aspect of the weekend congress is that many of the current
executive members are likely to return from the congress as ordinary
members. Elias Mudzuri who holds the current position of National Organiser
and Chairman Lovemore Moyo are at risk the most. Mudzuri faces a formidable
challenge from the hugely popular Nelson Chamisa for the post of National
Organiser while Moyo is being challenged by Lucia Matibenga.

With Tsvangirai almost sure to return to the party’s top position together
with Biti as Secretary General and Chamisa as National Organising Secretary,
political observers are keen to find out how the post congress political
power dynamics within the MDC will work. This follows widespread speculation
that both Chamisa and Biti are eyeing to take over the party's top
leadership once Tsvangirai leaves.

Chamisa (33) who has youth on his side is viewed by political observers as
having a charismatic character, hugely popular among ordinary MDC supporters
and the media. He is seen in some circles as second in popularity ratings
within the rank and file of the party after Tsvangirai. He is also believed
to be quite close to Tsvangirai than Biti. He is also credited for the
critical role that he has played in steering the majority of Zimbabweans
onto the technology platform through internet access on mobile phones as
Minister of Information and Technology.

On the other hand, Biti who will be turning 45 years old this August and is
Minister of Finance is credited for bringing back the lives of Zimbabweans
back to normal with his economic policies since the formation of the
Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2009. He is also liked by many for
standing up to Mugabe and Zanu PF’s excesses. However his undoing seems to
be what his critics term as aloofness because he lacks grip with the
ordinary masses. His approach to politics is seen as elitist.

It is with this background that political relations within the MDC will be
tested to the fullest after the congress when the battle for succession is
likely to be more pronounced.

But analysts believe “the MDC congress is for sale” and the highest bidder
will win.

“Battle lines have already been drawn and its going to be a battle for
money, those who can buy votes will win this election,” a Harare based
political commentator who is involved in MDC politics said.

Mudzuri has already accused Chamisa of using his media muscle to de-campaign
him.

Others have sought to use social network sites to win themselves supporters.

As they say a day is a long time in politics, curiosity is high to discover
what happens between now and election day.