Political Correspondent
Harare – Tensions flared at the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T) headquarters today as Vice President Elias Mudzuri made a dramatic bid to seize control of the party, following a High Court ruling that declared President Douglas Mwonzora’s leadership illegitimate.
The chaotic scenes at Harvest House saw Mudzuri, backed by senior party official Morgen Komichi and a group of supporters, attempting to assert his authority as acting president. However, their efforts were met with fierce resistance from Mwonzora’s loyalists, leading to violent scuffles that forced police intervention.
High Court Ruling Sparks Chaos
The confrontation stems from a February 2025 High Court judgment by Justice Happias Zhou, which nullified Mwonzora’s 2022 ascension to the presidency, citing irregularities in the party’s Extraordinary Congress. The court ordered Mwonzora to step down and mandated a fresh congress within six months.
Citing this ruling, Mudzuri declared himself interim leader, stating,
“The court has spoken, and Mwonzora is no longer the legitimate president. We must restore order and prepare for a proper congress.”
Violent Clashes at Harvest House
As Mudzuri and his supporters arrived at the party headquarters, they were blocked by militant youths aligned with Mwonzora. The standoff turned physical, prompting riot police to deploy in downtown Harare to prevent further violence.
Mudzuri later claimed he had sought police assistance to lawfully take over the building.
“I went to Harare Central Police Station to ensure we follow due process. This is not a rebellion; it’s about enforcing a court order,” he said.
However, Albert Chidhakwa, MDC-T National Youth Chairperson, dismissed Mudzuri’s actions, insisting Mwonzora remains in charge pending an appeal.
“The judgment is under appeal, so it has no effect yet. President Mwonzora is still the leader of this party,” Chidhakwa stated.
A Party in Peril
The MDC-T has been embroiled in factional battles since the Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling that ousted Nelson Chamisa, leading to mass defections to his new party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Mwonzora’s decision to boycott the 2023 elections further weakened the party’s influence.
With tensions escalating and the leadership crisis unresolved, Harvest House remains both a symbol of the MDC-T’s legacy and the epicenter of its ongoing turmoil.
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