By Paul Nyathi|The MDC-T candidates consensus talks held in Harare over the weekend were marred with confusion and even violence in some constituencies.
The party invited all its aspiring candidates to meet in their respective constituencies to discuss amongst themselves and agree on one candidate to represent the constituency but all the discussions collapsed.
In Mabvuku – Tafara the talks had to be moved to the party headquarters in Harare CBD as violence nearly erupted.
On Monday the party members staged a demonstration at the Morgan Tsvangirai House the party headquarters against the candidate selection and accusing some unnamed leaders of imposing candidates.
A number of aspiring candidates were reportedly shut out sparking an unrest within the party.
MDC-T’s national executive member Amos Chibaya had a tough time trying to control the crowd that was demanding audience with the opposition party’s president, Nelson Chamisa.
One of the demonstrators who spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the demonstrations blamed the party for trying to shift the process to favour certain candidates.
“A friend of mine submitted his curriculum vitae to represent MDC-T in Ward 2, Epworth, but a woman has since been imposed.
“Three other aspiring candidates can no longer contest in that ward. Under the circumstances, we cannot vote for someone who was imposed on us when the election time comes,” he said.
Violence also rocked the MDC-T consensus meeting in Glen View and Chitungwiza.
Some sitting and aspiring candidates had to flee for their lives as youths bayed for their blood in chaos riddled meetings. The party has directed party candidates to hold consensus meetings to avoid holding primary elections, a strategy that has been perceived by some as a ploy to impose preferred candidates.
In Glen View North, sitting Legislator Mr Fani Munengami fled the scene while Mrs Vimbai Tsvangirai Java had to be escorted as party supporters protested why she was coming to contest in Glen View South constituency.
In Zengeza West, a tension-filled consensus meeting was aborted after just 10 minutes after sitting MP Mr Simon Chidhakwa failed to agree with aspiring candidates Messrs Job Sikhala and Rangarirayi Mutingwende.
The party acting national chairperson Morgan Komichi admitted to state owned publications that the consensus meetings held at the weekend were rocked by violence.
“These consensus meetings are a process that does not even require violence or conflict as what has happened in some few areas. It is a voluntary process of consensus building and once that fails we subject people to primary elections,” said Mr Komichi.
“Violence is being caused by disqualified people who are buying beer for some misguided youths who are not even our party members. We sat as an Appeals Committee and resolved about 90 cases and our doors remain open.”