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Chamisa Disappoints Welshman Ncube’s followers as Kuwadzana Constituency By Elections Proceed Despite Their Appeal.
18 October 2020
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Paul Nyathi

Welshman Ncube with Nelson Chamisa

The Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance is this sunday holding primary elections in Kuwadzana Constituency in preparation for the by election to replace the late Miriam Mushayi.

The by elections reported to have been going on smoothly at the time of writing come amidst a heated contestation on who should represent the party in the by-elections, with members of the Welshman Ncube’s MDC declaring that the seat be reserved for them as per a 2018 agreement.

The Ncube led partner in the Alliance had unanimously picked on former party spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi to be the candidate believing on the strength of the Alliance Agreement which accorded the party the seat.

Chihwayi since withdrew his candidature after the party leaders opened up the seat for an open primary election to all members of the Alliance.

In a letter to the MDC Alliance secretary general, Chalton Hwende, Chihwayi expressed disappointment over the primary election order.

“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 the 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 further said there was no need for the MDC Alliance to hold primary elections in the constituency since the seat was reserved for his party when they signed the MDC Alliance agreement in 2018.

“I did not see the rationale of participating in a primary election with members of the then MDC-T in the MDC Alliance. I am a full member of the MDC Alliance by virtue of being a member of the MDC,” Chihwayi alluded.

He further said members of the then MDC-T should withdraw from the primary elections as a way of showing respect to the terms and conditions of the 2018 agreement.

The late Mushayi was a member of the MDC before her party joined the MDC Alliance in 2018 and with this, Chihwayi believes that the seat should remain in the hands of the then MDC until the terms of the Alliance expire in 2023.

Meanwhile, women in the “MDC Green,” as the Ncube party is nicknamed also demanded that the seat be seconded to a woman from their party as was the original internal arrangement within the party.

They suggested the name of Harare based member Ellen Shiriyedenga.

Results of the by election are yet to be published.