A senior member of the Welshman Ncube-led MDC, Kurauone Chihwayi, has withdrawn from the MDC Alliance primary elections to replace the late Kuwadzana legislator, Miriam Mushayi, citing violation of the alliance agreement by the MDC-T component within the pact.
Prior to the 2018 plebiscite three opposition parties – MDC-T, MDC and PDP – which contested under the banner of MDC Alliance allocated one another parliamentary seats to be contested.
Mushayi, who died last month in Harare, belonged to the Ncube-led MDC.
In a letter to the secretary general, election directorate and Harare Province seen by CITE, Chihwayi, MDC former spokesperson, announced his withdrawal from the race.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had announced December 5 as the date for by-elections before Vice President and Health and Child Care Minister, Constantino Chiwenga, blocked the move citing the risk of spreading Covid-19
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my withdrawal from the Kuwadzana MDC Alliance primary elections,” said Chihwayi.
8“This decision was reached after thorough consultations with relevant individuals and members of the then MDC in Kuwadzana in particular and Harare in general. I am strongly disturbed by the violation of a valid MDC Alliance agreement that expires in 2023 which gave the seat to the MDC led by Prof Welshman Ncube, as such I expected MDC to elect or choose one of its own to finish the term of office left by the late Hon Miriam Mushayi.”
Chihwayi said he did not see the rationale of participating in a primary election with members of the MDC-T in the MDC Alliance.
“I am a full member of the MDC Alliance by virtue of being a member of the MDC.” he argued.
“For purposes of fair play and respect of political partners in the MDC Alliance it is my view that MDC-T in the MDC alliance should unconditionally withdraw from the contest for the vacant Kuwadzana seat and leave it to the MDC which was led by Professor Welshman Ncube.
He added: “It is my prayer to see terms of the Alliance agreement respected and followed. I will only participate in the Kuwadzana primary election if called by the MDC leadership within the MDC Alliance.”
