MDC-M Feels Side-lined

This comes amid growing reports that Zanau PF and the bigger MDC formation led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai might soon seal an agreement to take five governorships each and ignore the rocket scientist’s formation. Initially, it had been agreed that Zanu PF would take five governorships, MDC-T four, while Mutambara’s formation would take one. These would be allocated based on the parties performance in the March 2008 harmonised elections.

However, of late it is understood there was a new new lobby for Zanu PF and the MDC-T to get an equal share of the positions, and sideline Mutambara’s formation.

On Monday, MDC-M director of Information Maxwell Zimuto said in a statement that the party “stands to get one governorship position purely on the basis of its performance at the 2008 general election”.

“A run- down of how the parties performed in the 2008 election in this (Matabeleland South) province shows that out of the 13 house of assembly seats and 6 senatorial seats contested for,” said Zimuto. “MDC won seven House of Assembly seats and two senatorial seats, giving them a combined majority representation of 9 seats in the province.  If we go by the combined total number of seats won in both houses per province, the MDC is undoubtedly the most deserving party to take the governorship position for Matabeleland South province.”

The issue of provincial governorships was among the five outstanding issues presented to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) last November, leading to the current facilitation by South Africa President Jacob Zuma.

Following Zuma’s latest mediation, it is understood new governors would be sworn in at the latest in August. These will be drawn only from Zanu PF and the MDC-T, on the basis of their majorities in the two houses of Parliament.

The MDC-M got a resounding majority in Mat South, winning seven seats Gwanda Central, Gwanda North, Insiza South, Umzingwane, Bulilima East,  Bulilima West and  Mangwe. The party also got two senatorial seats in Bulilima-Mangwe and Umzingwane.

Based on the 2008 election results, Zimuto said “it is evident that MDC deserves and is entitled to the provincial governorship position for Matabeleland South”.