MDC-T bigwigs Nelson Chamisa and Tapiwa Mashakada have been reduced to ordinary card carrying members after they lost dismally in the opposition party’s elective congress which spilled overnight from Saturday, only to end yesterday morning.

Deputy organising secretary Amos Chibaya and long serving member Gift Chimanikire also fell by the wayside in the elections carried out using secret ballot.

The voting process was conducted throughout Saturday night and spilled into yesterday morning.

Chamisa lost to the party’s outgoing secretary for information and publicity Douglas Mwonzora for the post of secretary general.

Thousands of congregants of the United Family International Church had to patiently wait outside the City Sports Centre to allow the MDC-T to wind up its elections before they could access the venue hours after their scheduled time for their weekly church service.

The MDC-T was forced to hold an early congress after party secretary general Tendai Biti and deputy national treasurer Elton Mangoma formed the MDC Renewal Team following a fallout with party leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Chamisa lost the battle despite being nominated by nine provinces against Mwonzora’s one, making him the early favourite to replace Biti.

But the tables were turned against him when Mwonzora garnered 2,464 against his 1,762 during the secret ballot.

Shocked by the result, Chamisa left the venue quietly before the announcement of the election results.

Mufakose MP Paurina Mpariwa-Gwanyanya became the party’s deputy secretary general unopposed.

The party’s acting secretary general Tapiwa Mashakada lost to Theresa Makone for the post of national treasurer, while Abednico Bhebhe beat Mkoba MP Chibaya to land the post of organising secretary.

Makone got 2,117 against Mashakada’s 2,016, while Bhebhe got 2,455 against Chibaya’s 1,755.

The new secretary for information and publicity is Obert Gutu, who won unopposed.

Party national executive member Charlton Hwende garnered 1,763 against Bernard Chiondengwa’s 1,756 to win the post of deputy national treasurer.

Party deputy national chairperson Morgan Komichi retained his post when he got 3,650 against long serving member Gift Chimanikire who secured a paltry 452.

Thamsanqa Mahlangu landed the post of deputy organising secretary when he secured 3,800 to beat Costa Machingauta.

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, his deputy Thokozani Khupe and national chairperson Lovemore Moyo were retained unopposed.

Newly elected spokesperson Gutu described the congress as historic.

“The congress was historic in the sense that it came at the background of worrisome developments of a split,” he said.

“Many people had written us off, but our party members sacrificed by selling their goats and chickens to attend the event.

“The congress was held successfully despite a shoe-string budget.”