MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora reacts angrily to a High Court ruling that annulled his 2022 congress, claiming Zanu PF influenced the decision to suppress opposition against Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda. The court calls for new elections within six months. Mwonzora asserts his commitment to constitutional adherence and readiness to contest his leadership position in future congresses.
Douglas Mwonzora, the president of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), has expressed his frustration after a High Court ruling nullified his party’s 2022 ordinary congress. Mwonzora accuses Zanu PF of orchestrating the judgment to undermine his campaign against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda, which aims to extend his presidency beyond the two-term limit set to expire in 2028.
High Court Justice Hapias Zhou ordered Mwonzora to resign and initiate a new congress within six months due to irregularities during the 2022 MDC-T congress that confirmed him as party leader. In response, Mwonzora vowed to intensify efforts against the 2030 agenda, rejecting any intimidation related to his constitutional rights.
Mwonzora emphasized that MDC-T is a key player regarding the 2013 Constitution, which mandates a ten-year limit for the presidency. He stated, “We are saying, President Mnangagwa, after the expiry of your term in 2028, go home, and nothing is going to intimidate us from this path.”
He revealed that MDC-T is collaborating with various progressive forces such as political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders to counter Mnangagwa’s ambitions. Concerning the court directive for new leadership elections, he expressed his readiness to defend his position as leader of MDC-T through an upcoming congress.
Mwonzora stated, “…when the time comes, we will hold congress and I, as president of the MDC-T, am willing to face anyone in a congress.” He is confident about his leadership, recalling his significant victory at the 2020 extraordinary congressional elections where he achieved 883 votes against his rivals.
The December 2022 MDC-T ordinary congress endorsed Mwonzora as its presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, alongside unopposed vice-presidential candidates. However, former political opponents initiated legal action against the validity of the congress, which led to the recent High Court ruling that declared it null and void due to noncompliance with party regulations, ordering a fresh congress to be held.
In summary, Douglas Mwonzora is determined to fight against allegations from Zanu PF following the High Court’s decision to annul the MDC-T’s 2022 congress. He firmly opposes attempts to extend the presidential term limit as proposed in Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda. Mwonzora’s commitment to uphold constitutional mandates and his readiness to defend his leadership in forthcoming congressional elections signify his vested interest in Zimbabwean political dynamics.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
