MUDZURI REPORTEDLY CHICKENS OUT By Itai Dzamara HARARE FORMER Harare mayor Elias Mudzuri is reported to be reconsidering his earlier plan to challenge MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai at the partys congress set for October. Sources close to Mudzuri say the Warren Park MP has done his assessment and come to the conclusion that he faces an embarrassing defeat if he challenges Tsvangirai. We tracked down Mudzuri on Wednesday and tried to interview him but he flatly declined. l am not talking about that at all. I am remaining quiet on everything. Please understand that, Mudzuri responded. Two sources close to Mudzuri told us this week that the legislator has consulted his allies and has been advised to challenge for another position. It is almost certain that Mudzuri will not challenge for the presidency, a source said. He admits that the circumstances guarantee Tsvangirai a massive victory. The MDC has brought forward its congress, which was scheduled for 2016, following a failed coup attempt by a group led by the partys former secretary general Tendai Biti. The Biti group of rebels challenged Tsvangirai to step down and accused him of having failed. However, the MDC rebels, surprisingly tried to unconstitutionally oust Tsvangirai at a bogus meeting in April. The MDC fired the rebels and set October for the congress. Another source said Mudzuris chances had hinged on the Biti camp. Mudzuri could only have some significant support from the Biti camp, if it had stayed in the party, the source said. Now, as things stand, it is a foregone conclusion that he wont get even 10% of the vote against Tsvangirai. While Tsvangirai seems set to easily retain his position, a fierce battle is looming for the position of secretary general. Sources say the partys organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, spokesman Douglas Mwonzora and acting secretary general Tapiwa Mashakada are all eyeing the position.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 09:00:43 +0000
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