A press conference organised by Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) National Chairman Morgen Komichi announcing his takeover of the movement left by the late Morgan Tsvangirai was disrupted by hecklers aligned to the current party leader Douglas Mwonzora.
During the conference’s questioning session, one of the irated MDC member who identifies himself as Boaz Mangamiso said what Komichi was doing was illegal according to their party’s constitution.
Mangamiso said Komichi had no right to organise a press conference announcing himself as the interim leader of the party while Mwonzora is out of the country on a national duty.
“You are not the president of this party and you don’t have that right. What you are doing will end up putting you in danger.
“Douglas Mwonzora is the only party leader we know and he is currently not in the country. If you want to have your own party, please go find a new name not our name”, he said.
“We didn’t come this far with this party for you to come and fiddle around with it like this, this is not good and we are not going to allow you to do this again.”
Another Mwonzora’s sympathiser accused Komichi of bringing confusion to the party ahead of the forthcoming polls scheduled on August 23 this year.
“What are you doing Komichi? What is this now? I think you are an enemy to the party, we don’t want to see you again. We knew that you were plotting against our president all along,” he said.
In response to the insults, Komichi said he wasn’t ready for arguments, but he was just addressing the media announcing his takeover.
“I am not here for neither noise, nor arguments. I was just letting the country know the truth that I am the leader of the party and whoever is willing to join the movement is welcome.
“I’m also inviting Mwonzora to join me if he is willing to, Even Chamisa tell him that it’s not too late to join the right movement. We welcome everyone to join the movement,” Komichi said.
Post the death of Morgan Tsvangirai , aided by party organs, Nelson Chamisa took control of MDC February 2018 in an acting capacity, igniting fierce protests from co-vice presidents Thokozani Khupe, Elias Mudzuri and party secretary general Douglas Mwonzora.
He later convened a party congress in which he was elected substantive leader.
But his rise to the helm of the main opposition was judged as illegitimate by the Supreme Court with Khupe granted stewardship of the party.
Chamisa contested in the July 2018 presidential elections under the banner MDC Alliance.
Following prolonged tussles with nemesis over the brand name, Chamisa then formed a new party – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in 2022, and Douglas Mwonzora took over the MDC brand.
