Standard
2 January 2011
WITH MDC-M nominations for national executive council members in full swing, questions have been raised on the seemingly conspicuous absence of David Coltart’s name.
Coltart is regarded as one of the driving forces within the party and his absence on the nomination list got tongues wagging, with some speculating that he could be on his way out.
So far, the Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister has only been nominated by Matabeleland South province as treasurer general, while Bulawayo nominated him as an NEC member.
Party secretary general, Welshman Ncube cleared the air this week saying Coltart was likely to be retained as secretary for legal affairs.
The position of secretary for legal affairs is not up for nomination, but rather that person is elected by the NEC,†he said.
Ncube said probably the provinces were happy with Coltart’s job as legal affairs secretary and wanted to retain him in that portfolio.
Meanwhile, an intriguing battle is looming for the party’s vice presidency, with Frank Chamunorwa and party spokesman, Edwin Mushoriwa literally neck and neck in the battle to assume the top post.
Mushoriwa seemed the likely candidate to take up that position, but Chamunorwa has had a late rally to keep in touch with the party’s spokesman.
It was revealed that from the six provinces that had held their congresses the two had garnered and equal number of nominations.
Sources within the party said if there was nothing to separate the candidates the issue would be taken to a vote by delegates at the party’s congress.
Party leader Arthur Mutambara recently announced that he would not be standing for the party presidency or any other post at the party’s congress this month.
He said he would remain an ordinary member of the party.
The announcement came a few hours after the MDC-M Harare province had announced that it was backing Professor Ncube to take over the presidency at the party’s congress to be held in Harare this month.
Mutambara’s withdrawal from the race clears the way for Ncube, who has not hidden his leadership ambitions