WASHINGTON DC —
More than 1,000 supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai staged a peaceful demonstration Saturday against the disqualification of Regai Tsunga from the party primary elections in Mutasa South expected sometime this month.
The demonstrators, some waving placards saying: “Let the people decide, don’t impose candidates'; 'We do not want another Zanu-PF within our party'; 'We want democracy”, marched to the party provincial office in the eastern city to register their displeasure.
MDC-T spokesman Douglas Mwonzora acknowledged the demonstrations but said this was not tolerated in the party.
Mwonzora defended Tsunga’s disqualification saying he organised the Bob 89 Golf Tournament to celebrate President Mugabe’s birthday at Hillside Golf Course, where he is the chairman.
But Tsunga said the party has not officially communicated to him the news that he has been disqualified.
The party faces other divisions, as well. In Marondera, many members are said to be unhappy that former Zanu-PF Marondera East MP Tracy Mutunhiri is being allowed to compete in the primaries, though she has not been in the party for the stipulated five years and is also accused of alleged involvement in the violence that occurred during the 2008 elections in her constituency.
Studio 7 could not reach Mutinhiri for a comment, but Mwonzora defended her inclusion saying she satisfied all the requirements.
Mwonzora also denied reports that Bulawayo provincial chairman Gorden Moyo and national youth chairman Solomon Madzore were disqualified because the constituencies they are eyeing are reserved for women.
He said the two respective women in the constituencies, Thokozani Khupe, and Evelyn Masaiti are not going to contest in the primary elections, thus paving the way for the two gentlemen.
Moyo is said to be interested in running in Makokoba while Madzore wants the Dzivaresekwa seat currently held by Masaiti.
The demonstrators, some waving placards saying: “Let the people decide, don’t impose candidates'; 'We do not want another Zanu-PF within our party'; 'We want democracy”, marched to the party provincial office in the eastern city to register their displeasure.
MDC-T spokesman Douglas Mwonzora acknowledged the demonstrations but said this was not tolerated in the party.
Mwonzora defended Tsunga’s disqualification saying he organised the Bob 89 Golf Tournament to celebrate President Mugabe’s birthday at Hillside Golf Course, where he is the chairman.
But Tsunga said the party has not officially communicated to him the news that he has been disqualified.
The party faces other divisions, as well. In Marondera, many members are said to be unhappy that former Zanu-PF Marondera East MP Tracy Mutunhiri is being allowed to compete in the primaries, though she has not been in the party for the stipulated five years and is also accused of alleged involvement in the violence that occurred during the 2008 elections in her constituency.
Studio 7 could not reach Mutinhiri for a comment, but Mwonzora defended her inclusion saying she satisfied all the requirements.
Mwonzora also denied reports that Bulawayo provincial chairman Gorden Moyo and national youth chairman Solomon Madzore were disqualified because the constituencies they are eyeing are reserved for women.
He said the two respective women in the constituencies, Thokozani Khupe, and Evelyn Masaiti are not going to contest in the primary elections, thus paving the way for the two gentlemen.
Moyo is said to be interested in running in Makokoba while Madzore wants the Dzivaresekwa seat currently held by Masaiti.