Nelson Chamisa was today appointed substantive leader of the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai and will be its presidential candidate in the coming elections.
The decision was reached after a six-hour meeting of the party’s national executive and national council which also gave the party seven days to engage vice-president Thokozani Khupe, national chairman Lovemore Moyo and organising secretary Abednigo Bhebhe.
Khupe has been arguing that she is the rightful heir to Tsvangirai while Moyo has indicated that he is quitting politics.
Bhebhe recently said the way the party was breaching its own constitution was the way it will govern.
“One thing that brings us together as members from different backgrounds is the constitution. When we disobey the constitution, it is not only a recipe for disaster, but it’s a reflection of how we are going to handle matters when we get into government,” he said.
“The path you walk to power will reflect how you will behave when you are in power and such kind of behaviour breeds danger to democracy.”
The party also suspended national spokesman Obert Gutu and said his deputy Thabitha Khumalo will be acting spokesperson.
It gave structures the mandate to select candidates for the coming elections and set 15 April as the deadline.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not set the date for elections yet but the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said they should be held between 21 July and 21 August.
According to Veritas Zimbabwe, the earliest Mnangagwa can proclaim the elections, if he abides by the constitution, is 30 April.
Mnangagwa is trying to ensure he holds free, fair and credible elections to win international recognition.
Chamisa’s supporters are already seeing Mnangagwa as an easy walk over.
