The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T says police have given the party the go-ahead to convene an extraordinary congress on Saturday, 19 December 2020.
MDC-T acting spokesperson Tapiwa Maji-Marefu Mashakada said the congress will be held in the format of five “decentralised” provincial clusters and, to comply with Covid-19 protocols, not more than 100 people will vote at any given time. He said:
The decentralization has been done in order to comply with Covid 19 Protocols and not more than 100 people at any one time will assemble in the polling area.
Social distancing will be strictly observed and all delegates will be properly masked. Sanitization and temperature will be compulsory both at personal level including the disinfection of the venues.
Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to deal with intruders, malcontents and anticipated hooligans whose plans are already known and budgeted for.
Here is how the MDC-T has decentralised its congress:
1. Harare Cluster will meet in Harare or any other approved venue in the Harare Metropolitan Province. The Harare cluster includes Chitungwiza and the 3 Mashonaland Provinces.
2. Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South will meet in Bulawayo or any other approved venue in Matebeleland Region.
3. Midlands North and Midlands South will meet in either Kwekwe or Gweru depending on venue availability.
4. Manicaland will meet in Mutare or any other approved venue in that province.
5. Masvingo Province will meet in Masvingo city or any other approved venue in Masvingo Province.