MDC UK AND IRELAND COUNCIL MEETING

The MDC council meeting held in Headington, Oxford held Saturday August 4, 2012 convened to clarify the contentious restructuring demanded by Article 6.10 of the new constitution. The meeting promised fireworks and did not disappoint. Southend-on-Sea Branch sent the following representatives: Stanford Biti, Washington Ali, Sibangani Machingauta, Shiellah Sibanda, Maidei Ali and Audrey Charowa,

Tonderai Samanyanga the Provincial Chair of the UK and Ireland External Assembly informed meeting attendees that the purpose of the meeting was to consult on the way forward in light of the changes to the Party’s constitution. The major bone of contention was that the new constitution does away with the District structure as well as the Provincial executive. The new Constitution which appears to give more autonomy to the Branches states that branch will have Wards and can nominate an External Coordinating committee which will then be elected by the National Council in Harare.

6.10.7.3 Election of the External Coordinating Committee

The External Coordinating Committee shall at a special meeting called by the National Council elect directly from nominations made by Branches and Wards, the Chairperson, Treasurer, Organising Secretary and Secretary for the Main Wing, Assembly of Women, and Assembly of Youth.

Before long it was clear to those in attendance that there was a skew towards keeping the Samanyanga executive running as is, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.  What added fuel to the fire was an email purportedly sent by MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti telling the Samanyanga executive to continue as is. Basically the old structures would just change their titles and remain as they are. This idea was rubbished by Southend-on-Sea Chairman, Stanford Biti who pointed out that the coordinating committee had 7 positions but the current provincial executive has over 20 positions. “How do you select who stays and who goes?” he enquired.  Bristol’s Mrs Mutasa concurred with this view.

Mr Samanyanga reported that Harare had not given him any transitional procedures to follow in implementing these changes.  The guest of honour was outspoken Bulawayo MP and former MDC-T spokesperson, Hon Thabitha Khumalo. Impeccably dressed in an olive-green knee length office dress Hon Khumalo arrived as the debate got heated. She urged all to follow the party’s constitution.  She pointed out that the Party’s constitution could not be altered or varied by the pen stroke of one man. She urged Samanyanga & his team to act quickly and decisively to get the matter sorted out. Hon. Thabitha Khumalo observed that the UK and Ireland was a major powerbase of the MDC-T party and should be telling Harare the grassroots supporters’ aspirations.

Hon Thabitha Khumalo also addressed the matter of her “demotion” from party spokesperson. She noted that the MDC party was at war and on the battlefield cadres can be moved around by their general. With great jollity she said she was being reassigned and was looking forward to her new role.

While the issue seems pretty straightforward that the coordinating committee must be selected by the branches;  what may be interpreted as the of the hogging of office and dithering by the Samanyanga Executive  may be another divisive issue that  has the capacity to cause a deep chasm of mistrust in the external assembly. Mugabe –weary Zimbabweans want transparency and progress

Audrey Charowa

Vice Secretary

MDC South East District