Mwonzora is at the centre of escalating tensions in the MDC-T after police, reportedly acting on his directive, blocked a key leadership meeting called by vice-president Elias Mudzuri at the party’s Harvest House headquarters. Over 400 members had gathered to discuss internal reforms and unity, but the event was abruptly halted. The disruption intensifies the ongoing standoff within the opposition party, as pressure mounts on Mwonzora to step down and allow for a fresh, inclusive leadership transition.
The intervention by the police came despite Mudzuri’s prior communication with party structures, raising suspicions that Mwonzora may have played a role in stopping the gathering. Mudzuri, a seasoned opposition figure and former mayor of Harare, accused his embattled rival of orchestrating the crackdown to maintain a firm grip on the party’s leadership.
“We had agreed on a roadmap to reconcile and restructure the party, but Mwonzora has refused to sign the agreement,” Mudzuri told reporters after the aborted meeting. “Instead, he informed the police about our internal engagement, resulting in their arrival and the disruption of our gathering.”
Police officers at the scene reportedly told attendees that they were acting to prevent a potential disturbance, citing a tip-off about the meeting. However, Mudzuri and his allies claim the meeting was peaceful and merely aimed at restoring cohesion within the opposition ranks.
The MDC-T has been grappling with legitimacy issues ever since the controversial 2022 extraordinary congress that installed Mwonzora as party president. That process was later challenged in court, culminating in a landmark February 2025 High Court ruling by Justice Happias Zhou. The court ordered Mwonzora to vacate office and organise an elective congress within six months, citing serious procedural flaws in the way he assumed power.
Mudzuri said Thursday’s meeting was part of a broader effort to comply with the court order and unite the party ahead of that congress. He expressed frustration that dialogue has repeatedly failed, blaming Mwonzora for stonewalling negotiations.
“We’re dealing with a leadership that is more interested in power than in building the party,” Mudzuri said. “We wanted to avoid more court action and instead engage directly with the membership to craft a unified way forward. Unfortunately, that has been blocked again.”
Mwonzora Blocks Mudzuri’s Meeting at Harvest House Amid MDC-T Power Struggle
At the heart of the disagreement is a proposed political settlement that sought to nullify the results of the disputed 2022 congress and initiate a fresh transitional process overseen by a joint monitoring and implementation committee. The proposal emphasized a “let bygones be bygones” principle to heal the rift and prepare the party for a credible leadership renewal. Mudzuri insists that Mwonzora flatly rejected this offer because he wants to continue clinging to power despite dwindling grassroots support.
“Party leadership should be accountable to members, not to personal ambition,” Mudzuri added. “It is clear the majority of MDC-T members are yearning for change and healing.”
Mwonzora, who controversially assumed leadership of the broader MDC Alliance after sidelining Nelson Chamisa through court processes in 2020, has faced growing isolation in recent years. His decision to boycott the 2023 general elections, calling them a “sham,” further alienated him from many in the opposition who accused him of weakening resistance against Zanu PF.
Several party insiders have accused Mwonzora of secretly collaborating with the ruling party to dismantle genuine opposition efforts. These allegations intensified after the opposition’s poor showing in the 2023 polls, where the MDC-T failed to field candidates in most constituencies.
Despite the setbacks, Mudzuri remains adamant that the MDC-T can be rescued and rebuilt.
“We must return the party to its founding principles of democracy, transparency, and grassroots participation,” he said. “We cannot continue operating under a cloud of fear and manipulation. It’s time for members to reclaim their party.”
Mudzuri hinted that further meetings will be convened, with or without Mwonzora’s cooperation, as pressure mounts to prepare for the court-mandated congress due later this year.
As the clock ticks toward the six-month deadline set by the High Court, the MDC-T finds itself at a critical crossroads. Whether the party can resolve its internal battles and emerge as a united force in Zimbabwe’s turbulent political landscape remains uncertain — but for now, the battle for Harvest House and the soul of the MDC continues.
