By Paul Nyathi

Opposition MDC-T has introduced a hooping $1000 non refundable application fee for one to be considered as a candidate in the upcoming elections.

Members of the party who spoke to ZimEye.com described the move as a deliberate ploy to eliminate some prospective candidates from contesting primary elections against the elite and sitting parliamentarians.

The members claimed that the party opened for applications from prospective party members on the 15th of March however insisting that sitting parliamentarians or councillors should not be challenged.

The directive was heavily opposed by the party members promoting the party to put up the $1000 application fee on anyone wishing to be considered for parliamentary seats currently being held by the party.

An aspiring MDC-T MP, who spoke to weekend newspapers in anonymity for fear of victimisation, said, “The race to represent the party in elections must be open to everyone who wants to contest. Why should Chamisa protect the sitting legislators? There must be a sinister agenda.”

Those angling for constituencies not presently held by MDC-T are reportedly being asked to pay a paltry US$150 each as application fees to be considered as candidates.

Prospective urban councilors have to pay US$50 and those going for rural council seats fork out US$10 each.

“This is also a move trying to close doors for some people who may not be able to pay the application fees. The MDC-T is a democratic party so why come up with strategies to protect certain politicians; it’s for whose benefit?” queried the aspiring legislator.

Party sources indicate that Chamisa was uncomfortable with primary elections in fear of infiltration by rival Thokozani Khuphe faction members.