MDC-T in dilemma over Mat posts

Comment & Analysis
BY NQABA MATSHAZI JOCKEYING for positions in the MDC-T ahead of the party’s congress in April has reached fever pitch amid revelations that politicians from Matabeleland have demanded that some positions be reserved for the region.

It is reported that the Matabeleland caucus has demanded the positions of vice-president, treasurer- general, national chairman, deputy organising secretary and national youth chairman among others.Sources in the party revealed that senior politicians from Matabeleland were holding consultative meetings throughout the country in an effort to build consensus around the idea.“Before the split the region was well represented but after that our numbers have diminished at the top of the party,” a source revealed.He said it was too early to mention those that were eyeing top posts, but The Standard has it on record that Lovemore Moyo, the national chairman and vice-president, Thokozani Khupe were facing a challenge from some party members.“There is a feeling that when politicians from this region (Matabeleland) go to the top they stop representing us and become narrow and selfish,” another source revealed.The source said a case in point was the appointment of Abednico Bhebhe as the Water and Infrastructure Development minister, a decision that was later reversed, despite the fact that he did not belong to the MDC-T.“It was the senior politicians from this region that sanctioned Bhebhe’s appointment despite that some of us were against his inclusion in the first place,” the source continued.Senior politicians from the region were also accused of not consulting when making decisions that affected Matabeleland.Moyo is reported to be on the brink of losing his position because of ethnic balancing in the party. Despite demanding that the position be reserved for a Matabeleland politician, the source said the post was likely to be taken up by a politician from Masvingo.“That post was originally held by (the late Isaac) Matongo and he was from Masvingo, so there are suggestions that the post revert to Masvingo, leaving Moyo in the cold,” the source added.Moyo’s predicament, the source said, is further compounded by the fact that he does not seem to have the backing of politicians from the region and that might see him lose the position.The party’s deputy spokesperson and veteran trade unionist, Thabitha Khumalo said she had seen a document circulating on the positions that are to be reserved from Matabeleland, but distanced the party from it.

“We are yet to sit as branches, wards and districts to decide on the positions, but we have not done that so I don’t know where you got that,” she said.Despite her denials there has been heightened campaigning in the party, with ministers and senior politicians setting base and holding several meetings ahead of congress.