MUTARE —
Fists were nearly exchanged at the offices of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday during the verification process for the party’s primary elections to choose parliamentary and council candidates for this year’s polls.
Aspiring candidates and their supporters almost exchanged blows as the situation deteriorated.
MDC-T supporters argued and tussled at the party’s Manicaland provincial party offices as they disagreed with officials on who will be allowed to participate in the primary elections to select candidates in the province’s 26 constituencies.
Some complained names had been imposed onto the list in a deliberate attempt to favour some candidates while other names were allegedly omitted.
Barbara Mukahanana said she was disappointed by the goings-on in her party. She blamed factions in the party for Friday’s chaos at the verification process.
Innocent Gonese represents Mutare Central in parliament and has been under attack by supporters here who think he has not done enough to cater for their needs. He refused to speak with Studio 7..
The MDC-T chief whip, who has represented the area since 2000, is being challenged by former Mutare councilors Aarai Arutura and knowledge Nyamhoka in the primary elections.
The party’s Manicaland provincial spokesperson and Makoni South Member of Parliament Pishai Muchauraya said his party is in control of the situation, adding that “the small challenges experienced” Friday would be addressed.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in a case in which the director of the Centre for Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa, Jealous Mawarire, is seeking an order compelling President Robert Mugabe to set June 29 as the date for the country’s next crucial elections as the life of the unity government comes to an end.
Mawarire’s lawyer, Joseph Mandizha, told the full Supreme Court bench that elections should be held by June 29 because the life of the current parliament expires on the same day.
Mandizha argued that holding elections after that date would create a power vacuum in the country.
Attorney Terence Hussein, who appeared in court on behalf of President Mugabe, concurred with Mandizha.
But Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s lawyer, Lewis Uriri, said although it is not disputed that the current parliamentary session ends June 29, there won’t be any power vacuum in the country if elections are not held by June 29.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in a case in which the director of the Centre for Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa, Jealous Mawarire, is seeking an order compelling President Robert Mugabe to set June 29 as the date for the country’s next crucial elections as the life of the unity government comes to an end.
Mawarire’s lawyer, Joseph Mandizha, told the full Supreme Court bench that elections should be held by June 29 because the life of the current parliament expires on the same day.
Mandizha argued that holding elections after that date would create a power vacuum in the country.
Attorney Terence Hussein, who appeared in court on behalf of President Mugabe, concurred with Mandizha.
But Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s lawyer, Lewis Uriri, said although it is not disputed that the current parliamentary session ends June 29, there won’t be any power vacuum in the country if elections are not held by June 29.
Aspiring candidates and their supporters almost exchanged blows as the situation deteriorated.
MDC-T supporters argued and tussled at the party’s Manicaland provincial party offices as they disagreed with officials on who will be allowed to participate in the primary elections to select candidates in the province’s 26 constituencies.
Some complained names had been imposed onto the list in a deliberate attempt to favour some candidates while other names were allegedly omitted.
Barbara Mukahanana said she was disappointed by the goings-on in her party. She blamed factions in the party for Friday’s chaos at the verification process.
Innocent Gonese represents Mutare Central in parliament and has been under attack by supporters here who think he has not done enough to cater for their needs. He refused to speak with Studio 7..
The MDC-T chief whip, who has represented the area since 2000, is being challenged by former Mutare councilors Aarai Arutura and knowledge Nyamhoka in the primary elections.
The party’s Manicaland provincial spokesperson and Makoni South Member of Parliament Pishai Muchauraya said his party is in control of the situation, adding that “the small challenges experienced” Friday would be addressed.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in a case in which the director of the Centre for Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa, Jealous Mawarire, is seeking an order compelling President Robert Mugabe to set June 29 as the date for the country’s next crucial elections as the life of the unity government comes to an end.
Mawarire’s lawyer, Joseph Mandizha, told the full Supreme Court bench that elections should be held by June 29 because the life of the current parliament expires on the same day.
Mandizha argued that holding elections after that date would create a power vacuum in the country.
Attorney Terence Hussein, who appeared in court on behalf of President Mugabe, concurred with Mandizha.
But Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s lawyer, Lewis Uriri, said although it is not disputed that the current parliamentary session ends June 29, there won’t be any power vacuum in the country if elections are not held by June 29.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in a case in which the director of the Centre for Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa, Jealous Mawarire, is seeking an order compelling President Robert Mugabe to set June 29 as the date for the country’s next crucial elections as the life of the unity government comes to an end.
Mawarire’s lawyer, Joseph Mandizha, told the full Supreme Court bench that elections should be held by June 29 because the life of the current parliament expires on the same day.
Mandizha argued that holding elections after that date would create a power vacuum in the country.
Attorney Terence Hussein, who appeared in court on behalf of President Mugabe, concurred with Mandizha.
But Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s lawyer, Lewis Uriri, said although it is not disputed that the current parliamentary session ends June 29, there won’t be any power vacuum in the country if elections are not held by June 29.
