Mwonzora Denounces High Court Ruling, Vows to Resist Zanu PF’s 2030 Agenda
Douglas Mwonzora, president of the MDC-T, reacted angrily to a High Court ruling that annulled the party’s 2022 congress, blaming Zanu PF for the decision. He committed to oppose the 2030 agenda that seeks to extend presidential terms and emphasized the need to uphold constitutional limits. The court mandates a new party congress within six months due to irregularities in the previous congress.
Douglas Mwonzora, the president of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), expressed his outrage following a High Court decision that annulled the party’s 2022 ordinary congress. He alleges that the ruling is a maneuver by Zanu PF to undermine his efforts to mobilize public opposition against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda, which seeks to extend presidential terms contrary to constitutional limits.
The decision by Justice Hapias Zhou mandates Mwonzora to resign and organize a new congress within six months due to noted irregularities in the initial congress that saw him ascend as party leader. In his response, Mwonzora asserted his commitment to resist intimidation from Zanu PF regarding the 2030 agenda, emphasizing the need to uphold the constitution and support the rights of citizens.
Mwonzora reiterated that the 2013 Constitution, for which his party was a substantial stakeholder in its drafting, clearly limits presidential terms to a maximum of ten years. He firmly stated, “After the expiry of your term in 2028, President Mnangagwa, go home, and nothing is going to intimidate us from this path.”
Additionally, Mwonzora disclosed a coalition involving progressive entities including political parties, civil society, and church organizations, aimed at countering Mnangagwa’s perceived ambition for a prolonged presidency. He expressed confidence in facing any challengers in upcoming party elections, asserting his readiness to defend his leadership position through a congress.
Reflecting on his previous electoral victories, Mwonzora underscored a successful past encounter at the 2020 extraordinary congress, where he decisively won against several opponents. He noted that at the scheduled 2023 elections, his leadership would continue to assert dominance over dissenting factions within the party.
The court’s ruling found significant flaws in the execution of the 2022 congress, leading to its annulment for noncompliance with MDC-T’s constitutional requirements. A reorganization is required, and the High Court has directed that fresh national congress elections be conducted within six months, overseen by an independent election commission per the MDC-T Constitution.
In summary, Douglas Mwonzora’s leadership of the MDC-T has come under scrutiny following the High Court’s decision to nullify the party’s 2022 congress. Mwonzora remains defiant, vowing to resist Zanu PF’s alleged influence and to uphold constitutional term limits as he prepares for potential re-elections. The ruling necessitates a fresh congress within six months, reflecting ongoing factional struggles within Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
