MDC-T youth wing applauds Chamisa, Mudzuri elevation

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) national youth assembly has hailed party president, Morgan Tsvangirai, for elevating Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri to the presidium.

Tsvangirai close to two weeks ago elevated the two from national executive members to vice presidents, joining Thokozani Khupe.

The youth wing said it was “more than happy” that Chamisa, a former leader in the assembly, had been made vice president.

“As the Youth Assembly, we are more than happy with the appointment of Leader Nelson Chamisa who remains a proud product of the (youth wing).

“We are happy that the Youth Assembly remains a conveyor belt to producing leadership and we are proud that President Tsvangirai recognises the role and capacities of the Youth members of the party,” wrote the wing in a statement on Monday.

It expressed optimism that Chamisa would advance the youths’ interests.

The assembly described Mudzuri, a former mayor and national party organiser, as mature and experienced.

“We are more than convinced that the maturity and experience in Honourable Mudzuri will steady the ship and take the country forward.

“His vast knowledge on matters of the State and business as well as his experience in handling internal cohesion and unity will go a long way in ensuring that President Tsvangirai takes over the leadership of this country in 2018 (when general elections are held),” added the wing.

The assembly said it was worried by a recent court challenge by two party members who wanted the appointments of Chamisa and Mudzuri reversed arguing that it was unconstitutional.

It speculated that a “third hand” was involved in the court challenge, and urged the expulsion of the two, one of who the youths alleged was a “petty thief and celebrated beggar” with no capacity to sue the party leadership.

The wing challenged top party leaders who had stirred clear of the appointments by refusing to comment on them to make their positions known.

“We therefore urge comrades within the party who have decided not to be clear and who have decided to hide under the banner of ‘No comment” to immediately come out clean,” read the statement.

The remarks are apparently aimed at party spokesperson, Obert Gutu, and secretary general, Douglas Mwonzora.

Gutu used his Facebook account to distance himself from the appointments, referring all questions to Tsvangirai, while Mwonzora has up to date not spoken on Chamisa and Mudzuri’s elevation.

The youth wing said it was ready to work with youths from other political parties to put pressure on President Robert Mugabe and his cabinet to step down through the #Tajamuka campaign that participated in recent civil protests.

It also saluted the veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation war for recently announcing that they had broken ties with Mugabe and the ruling Zanu PF. Nehanda Radio