By Staff Reporter
Independent Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has called for a guided democracy approach to candidate selection in political parties, warning that an open approach can be an existential threat.
Mliswa specifically raised concerns about politicians who were previously with the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T) party and have recently switched allegiances to support Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition party.
In a tweet, Mliswa expressed concern that allowing candidates with a history of switching sides to contest primaries could weaken the party.
“An open approach to candidate selection can be an existential threat as it can result in the party remaining even weaker after these primaries. This makes important guided democracy especially relating to those who stood with @nelsonchamisa.
“They were some politicians who were with @OurMDCT who have recently flipped sides and emerged alleging to be on Chamisa’s side. Has the party forgiven them, allowing them to be part of it? I would think that the party would protect those who stood with @nelsonchamisa and were even recalled. You can’t make them be vulnerable to some who dabbled with Mwonzora and now sensing defeat want to identify with @CCCZimbabwe. That would be poor politics.
“In some instances, there is a need for guided democracy. It’s a practical necessity in certain situations such as this one to protect the strength of the party. Kune magogodera akamira naChamisa (There are some big wigs who stood with Chamisa) and they should be protected from those who appear to be opportunists,” said Mliswa
The outspoken legislator’s comments come in the wake of CCC’s recently held candidate nominations which saw more than 2000 vying for the party’s nomination for the House of Assembly’s 210 seats.
The issue of candidate selection has been a thorny one for CCC amid allegations of manipulation of the process.
Mliswa’s call for guided democracy is likely to spark further debate within the party, with some members likely to argue that an open approach is necessary to ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process.
