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Factionalism claims MDC-T councillor

by Staff reporter
15 Jul 2012 at 15:16hrs | Views
AS infighting within the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) intensifies Councillor Collet Ndhlovu of Cowdray Park has reportedly been suspended from the party for alleged misconduct.

This comes just a few days after the party demoted its deputy spokesperson, Ms Thabitha Khumalo, from that position, amid massive defections of its members to the Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC formation.

Clr Ndlovu, who was the ward's vice chairperson, was suspended together with two other ward committee members for offences ranging from conducting illegal party business and talking to the media.

In an interview with Sunday News last Wednesday, the councillor said while he was not allowed to talk to the media he was aware of the suspension, refusing to give further details.

"Yes I am aware of that matter but I am not the right person you should be talking to, either call the provincial vice-chairperson Dorcas Sibanda or our spokesperson as they are the ones who might be in a position to give you more details," said Clr Ndlovu.

He said he was not moved by the suspension as he was still carrying on with party business.

Contacted for comment Mr Takavarashe said the matter was being handled internally and they had since resumed their duties.

However, impeccable sources revealed that the suspensions were part of the party's internal squabbles as certain party figures try to position themselves for the impending general elections.

"The funny part is that while the councillor was suspended by the district the letter came from the province signed by the vice chairperson, Dorcas Sibanda, with the other ones signed by the Luveve district chairperson Mr Lefat Sibanda. this goes to show that there is an ulterior motive in all this.

"The reasons of the suspensions where vague, as the trio were accused of convening illegal meetings and talking to the media, which we feel is just a ploy to get rid of these individuals," said the source.

It was further revealed that Clr Ndlovu, the chairperson of the ward, Mr Alfred Takavarashe, and the secretary, Mr Samson Chimeno, had received suspension letters.

Contacted for comment Ms Sibanda, who is also Member of the House of Assembly for Bulawayo Central constituency, declined to comment saying she had more important things to deal with.

"Has (Clr) Ndhlovu approached you people to give you that story, anywhere I am far too busy to comment on that matter besides I sign a lot of letters as the vice- chairperson so I can't say whether I sent that letter or not," said Ms Sibanda.

Mr Lefat Sibanda, on the other said while he used to be the district chairperson for Luveve district he was now concentrating on his new designation as a member of the JOMIC.

"My friend I am a member of JOMIC, I am no longer involved in the day to day operations of the party, so I would rather not comment on that matter besides I don't know anything about those letters. if you say it was signed on my behalf then I believe someone forged my signature," said Mr Sibanda.

Source - SN