Paul Nyathi|Acting MDC President Engineer Elias Mudzuri has made a sensational hint that the opposition party might split after the make or break elective congress set for May.
The MDC is already split into two going to congress on which constitution should be used to run the elections.
Two contradicting constitutions have emerged on what positions are up for grabs at congress.
A camp allegedly led by President Nelson Chamisa is saying only four will be contested, while another led by secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora says that all the 16 standing committee posts should be decided by the congress.
Chamisa’s camp, led by deputy national treasurer Mr Charlton Hwende, has said only the posts of president, vice president, national chairperson and vice national chairperson would be contested.
Hwende said this on his Twitter handle, drawing barbs from other members.
Some party supporters said it was not tenable that influential positions such as secretary-general and organising secretary should be allowed to be decided by an individual or organ.
They said doing so had the effect of undermining the ethos of democracy.
The assertion that only four posts would be contested is also in sharp contrast with Mwonzora’s views that all the 16 standing committee posts should be contested.
Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume insisted that only four posts will be contested at congress while the remainder would be appointed by the president and the national executive council.
“Only four posts will be contested in terms of the current constitution. If there is a different view that would be discussed as we approach congress but currently the constitution says only those four would be contested. With respect to the remaining posts, the president will appoint some while the national executive will appoint others. You will also reckon that posts like secretary general are mere administrative posts,” said Mr Mafume.
“The constitution says all posts will be contested by anyone who would have been nominated. What we do not know is who is contesting which posts. It is also important to note that now congress dates have been announced, needless suspensions of members should be put on hold. There are 16 standing committee posts and these are the positions that should be contested. The issue of how many posts would be contested came up in our last national council meeting recently and we agreed to refer to the constitution signed by Mr (Morgan) Tsvangirai, we have since done that. So all the 16 posts should be contested,” said Mwonzora.