MDC-T Primaries Continue as Violence Flares up in Harare

WASHINGTON DC —  The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai continued with its primary elections to choose representatives to stand on the party’s ticket in national elections expected sometime this the year.

The election team was on Tuesday in Matabeleland North province where so far Hwange Central Member of Parliament, Brian Tshuma, has been confirmed as the party’s candidate in a process some members say was not trasparent. They charge some people who were not elligible to vote were allowed to cast ballots.

But provincial chairman, Sengezo Tshabangu told Studio 7 he was yet to receive such complaints.

In Matabeleland South, Matobo South lawmaker Gabriel Ndebele was confirmed while national chairman and Matobo North sitting MP, Lovemore Moyo, won the right to represent the party in the next elections unopposed.

The primaries move to Midlands South on Wednesday, Midlands North on Thursday and the Mashonaland provinces on Friday, Manicaland on Saturday and Masvingo province next weekend.

Organising secretary Nelson Chamisa said the MDC-T is impressed the process has largely been peaceful.

Interview With Nelson Chamisa

Meanwhile, three MDC-T supporters were seriously injured Tuesday afternoon following an attack by alleged Zanu-PF supporters in Harare South.

The Tsvangirai MDC said the attack occurred during a victory celebration party for Jacob Mafume, who won the right to represent the party in the country’s forthcoming national general elections.

Efforts to ascertain whether the attackers were Zanu-PF supporters or disgruntled MDC-T supporters were fruitless.

MDC-T youth secretary general Promise Mkhwananzi claimed that the attackers are known Zanu-PF supporters.

Interview With Promise Mkhwananzi