Political Reporter
Harare, Zimbabwe – The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is embroiled in yet another internal conflict over control of its historic headquarters, Harvest House, now known as Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House, renamed to honor of the party’s late founding president.
This latest struggle highlights the ongoing fragmentation within the MDC, now led by Douglas Mwonzora.
The power struggle has intensified between Mwonzora and Elias Mudzuri, a former vice president of the party. Mwonzora’s faction has accused Mudzuri and his supporters of plotting to seize MRT House using hired thugs, a claim that Mudzuri has strongly denied.
In a statement released this week, the Mwonzora-led MDC Youth Assembly asserted,
“It has come to our attention that some hired thugs from Elias Mudzuri’s small camp want to come and occupy the MDC headquarters violently.”
They cited social media posts from a former party staffer, identified as Mbidzo, as evidence of this alleged plot.
Responding to the accusations, Mudzuri labeled them as “baseless and inflammatory,” emphasizing the need for calm and dialogue within the party.
“He is just filling the air with nonsense,” Mudzuri said, referring to Mwonzora.
“The court judgment asked us to go to a congress, but it is being disputed. What we should be doing is rebuilding the party—not fighting over a dead structure. MRT House belongs to the members, not individuals.”
Mudzuri further stated,
“You don’t dissolve the soul of the party with leadership changes. The MDC must be rebuilt from the grassroots. There’s no youth assembly anymore. What we’re asking is for Mwonzora to allow the members to revive their party.”
The origins of the dispute can be traced back to a contested High Court judgment, which Mwonzora’s supporters argue did not nullify his presidency. MDC Youth Assembly national chairperson Albert Chidakwa defended Mwonzora’s leadership, stating,
“The High Court judgment has been appealed to the Supreme Court, and this appeal has the effect of suspending the ruling. Justice Zhou never nullified Mwonzora’s presidency. We will not allow power to be grabbed through undemocratic means.”
Chidakwa also accused unnamed elements, both within and outside the country, of inciting chaos to take control of MRT House.
Since Tsvangirai’s passing in 2018, the MDC has faced a series of leadership battles that have exacerbated the crisis within Zimbabwe’s once-mighty opposition movement.
As internal strife continues, the future of the party and its ability to unite against the ruling government remains uncertain.
Zim. GBC News©2025