KEY POINTS
- The High Court nullified MDC-T’s 2022 congress, ordering fresh elections.
- Douglas Mwonzora accused Zanu PF of political interference.
- The party must now conduct a new congress under independent oversight.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) leader Douglas Mwonzora has accused the ruling Zanu PF of orchestrating a court ruling that nullified his party’s 2022 ordinary congress.
The High Court ruling, issued by Justice Hapias Zhou, ordered Mwonzora to step down and mandated a new congress within six months, citing constitutional irregularities.
Mwonzora responded with defiance, claiming the ruling was politically motivated to weaken opposition resistance against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda, which seeks to extend his rule beyond the constitutional limit of two terms ending in 2028.
“We will not be intimidated in our fight against the 2030 agenda,” Mwonzora said. “If there is a faction within Zanu PF behind this judgment, tough luck to them.
We will intensify our efforts to defend the Constitution and ensure that no president stays in power beyond the allowed two terms.”
Fresh leadership contest looms for MDC-T
The court’s ruling has forced the MDC-T to prepare for another leadership contest, with potential challengers likely to emerge. Mwonzora, however, remains confident in his ability to retain the presidency.
“When the time comes, we will hold a congress, and I am willing to face anyone,” he said. “I have no problem competing against Elias Mudzuri or any other contender.
We already know what the outcome will be—our rivals will be defeated, and Zanu PF knows it too.”
The legal challenge against Mwonzora’s leadership was initiated by Mudzuri and three other MDC-T members, who argued that the 2020 congress, which brought Mwonzora to power, was fraudulent.
Moreover, in that election, Thokozani Khupe, Mudzuri, and Morgen Komichi walked out in protest, citing violence and irregularities in the voting process.
Despite the controversies, the MDC-T proceeded with its 2022 congress, where Mwonzora was confirmed as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.
According to New Zimbabwe, his unopposed endorsement was also extended to Chief Ndlovu and Paurina Mpariwa, who were confirmed as first and second vice presidents, respectively.
Court ruling calls for independent oversight
Last Friday, February 28, 2025, Justice Zhou declared that the MDC-T’s 2022 congress was null and void, ruling that it failed to meet the constitutional requirements of the party.
“The purported National Congress held in December 2022 is declared null and void for noncompliance with the first respondent’s Constitution,” the ruling stated.
However, the court ordered that the MDC-T conduct a new congress within six months under an independent election commission. This is also to ensure transparency and adherence to the party’s constitutional guidelines.
While Mwonzora continues to challenge the ruling, political analysts believe the decision could reshape MDC-T’s future leadership and influence Zimbabwe’s political landscape ahead of the next elections.
The party now faces the challenge of organizing a legitimate and credible congress, with its leadership under intense scrutiny.
