A significant power struggle has erupted within the MDC-T party, with Vice President Elias Mudzuri—reportedly working in tandem with Morgen Komichi—attempting to unseat the embattled party leader, Douglas Mwonzora, and take control of the party’s headquarters at Harvest House in central Harare.
This political clash follows a High Court judgment delivered by Justice Hapias Zhou in late February 2025, which directed Mwonzora to step down and organize a new party congress within six months. The court found flaws in the party’s 2022 Extraordinary Congress, the event that had elevated Mwonzora to the presidency.
Citing the court ruling, Mudzuri now claims that, as Vice President, he should assume leadership of the MDC-T.
Earlier today, Mudzuri arrived at Harvest House flanked by a large group of supporters, but his attempt to enter was thwarted by Mwonzora’s loyalist youth wing, who physically blocked the entrance. Police were eventually called in to prevent further escalation of the confrontation.
Mudzuri was later seen departing the scene in his black Toyota Land Cruiser amid the chaos. Prior to that, he had allegedly instructed Mwonzora’s followers to vacate the premises, a move that sparked a heated standoff and prompted the arrival of riot police.
He temporarily disappeared from the scene but later reappeared, claiming he had gone to Harare Central Police Station to request an escort that would help him take possession of the building.
“Mwonzora is no longer the legitimate President, according to the February court ruling. The leadership position is now vacant and must be filled,” said one of Mudzuri’s security aides, speaking on condition of anonymity.
However, MDC National Youth Chairperson Albert Chidhakwa, who leads the youth faction aligned with Mwonzora, pushed back strongly. He argued that Mudzuri’s efforts are invalid because the party has officially appealed the High Court decision.
“The ruling is under appeal. Until the appeal is resolved, the High Court’s decision cannot be enforced. President Mwonzora remains in charge,” Chidhakwa asserted.
The fight for control over Harvest House has long been a point of contention within the MDC-T. Tensions escalated in 2020 when the Supreme Court nullified Nelson Chamisa’s leadership claim following the death of party founder Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.
Mwonzora, who was Secretary General at the time, subsequently took over the reins but has faced ongoing challenges, including internal divisions and significant defections. Many former MDC-T members migrated to Chamisa’s new party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), established in 2022.
The MDC-T, under Mwonzora’s leadership, opted out of the 2023 elections, citing concerns over flaws in the electoral boundary delimitation process.
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