Interim MDC-T president Thokozani Khupe has agreed to hold a meeting of the party’s 2014 structures later this month ahead of an extraordinary congress to choose a substantive leader to succeed the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
This was confirmed by the party’s secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora I a letter dated June 2. He revealed that the 6th of June date proposed by the majority of the National Council members was problematic due to logistical challenges. He said:
It is her considered view that this must be a physical meeting which must be attended by all members entitled to attend.
In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, a suitable venue for this meeting has to be found.
The acting president also pointed out that we are already planning meeting of the 2014 national council for later this month anyway.
In view of the numbers to be involved, it is not practical given the health regulations to have this meeting on the 6th as proposed.
We will advise of the date and venue of this meeting after the national standing committee meeting scheduled to take place on Tuesday next week.
Last month 151 out of a possible 200 members who constituted the MDC 2014 national council structures met at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House in Harare last month and petitioned Mwonzora to call for a meeting on June 6.
The MDC-T has since expelled MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa from the party. This means that Chamisa will not be able to contest for any position at the extraordinary congress.