News / Local
MDC-T councillor poisoned to death - claims
26 Jun 2013 at 05:10hrs | Views
THE death of Bulawayo councillor, Mackenzie Sibanda, has sparked controversy in MDC-T structures in Makokoba constituency with some party members alleging his opponents in the party poisoned him.
Councillor Sibanda (80), who represented Ward 8, died on Thursday evening at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), a day after his admission complaining of breathing problems, the Chronicle reported.
Angry party members are fuming over the death of Clr Mackenzie, saying he was killed by his opponents.
They also accused Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe and provincial chairman for Bulawayo, Mr Gorden Moyo of not doing much to stem problems afflicting the province.
They vowed not to vote for Mr Moyo in the forthcoming elections, saying he did not care about the welfare of the people in the constituency as evidenced by his failure to attend Clr Sibanda's burial on Sunday.
One of the members, Ms Simiso Ndlovu from Mzilikazi said the death of Clr Mackenzie had revealed their leaders' true colours.
"Clr Mackenzie died mysteriously. He started vomiting blood after attending a funeral in the area. We were shocked because his opponent, a drunkard from Mzilikazi had threatened to fix him if he did not withdraw from the primary elections.
"To make matters worse Mr Moyo planned to go ahead with the elections at McDonald Hall while the rest of us were mourning Clr Sibanda. We have since decided not to vote for him in the harmonised elections because he can never do anything for us," said Ms Ndlovu.
She accused Ms Khupe of imposing Mr Moyo on the people of Makokoba.
"Mr Moyo does not know anything about Makokoba. He was brought to us by Thokozani Khupe. We were so embarrassed to see Tshinga Dube and Governor Angeline Masuku from Zanu-PF attending the burial of Sibanda while Ms Khupe and Mr Moyo were nowhere to be seen.
Another member, Ms Gladys Moyo said Ward 8 had become a stepping stone for MDC-T members who wanted to pursue politics.
"Bahlala betshelana ukuthi abantu be Makokoba abafundanga, ungabathengela inhloko bayakuvotela. Bazavotelwa zinhloko zabo. (These people are always telling each other that we are uneducated and they can buy us with food. We will not vote for them). Mr Moyo will see that it is us residents who are important, not the few people from the structures that he is always inviting to his house for tea," said Ms Moyo.
"UMoyo asimfuni ngoba ngumakoti owalethwa nguMaKhupe singamcelanga. (We do not want Mr Moyo because he was imposed by Ms Khupe)," fumed Ms Moyo.
Clr Sibanda's family acknowledged that relations were bad between him and an aspiring candidate.
Speaking at their Mzilikazi home yesterday, Clr Sibanda's wife, Elizabeth confirmed that his opponents were always threatening him over the council elections.
His grandson, Mr Bongani Sibanda said he chased away one of his grandfather's opponents from the funeral because of her remarks over the elections.
Contacted for comment, Mr Moyo said he did not attend Clr Sibanda's burial because he was attending his sister's funeral.
Councillor Sibanda (80), who represented Ward 8, died on Thursday evening at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), a day after his admission complaining of breathing problems, the Chronicle reported.
Angry party members are fuming over the death of Clr Mackenzie, saying he was killed by his opponents.
They also accused Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe and provincial chairman for Bulawayo, Mr Gorden Moyo of not doing much to stem problems afflicting the province.
They vowed not to vote for Mr Moyo in the forthcoming elections, saying he did not care about the welfare of the people in the constituency as evidenced by his failure to attend Clr Sibanda's burial on Sunday.
One of the members, Ms Simiso Ndlovu from Mzilikazi said the death of Clr Mackenzie had revealed their leaders' true colours.
"Clr Mackenzie died mysteriously. He started vomiting blood after attending a funeral in the area. We were shocked because his opponent, a drunkard from Mzilikazi had threatened to fix him if he did not withdraw from the primary elections.
"To make matters worse Mr Moyo planned to go ahead with the elections at McDonald Hall while the rest of us were mourning Clr Sibanda. We have since decided not to vote for him in the harmonised elections because he can never do anything for us," said Ms Ndlovu.
She accused Ms Khupe of imposing Mr Moyo on the people of Makokoba.
"Mr Moyo does not know anything about Makokoba. He was brought to us by Thokozani Khupe. We were so embarrassed to see Tshinga Dube and Governor Angeline Masuku from Zanu-PF attending the burial of Sibanda while Ms Khupe and Mr Moyo were nowhere to be seen.
Another member, Ms Gladys Moyo said Ward 8 had become a stepping stone for MDC-T members who wanted to pursue politics.
"Bahlala betshelana ukuthi abantu be Makokoba abafundanga, ungabathengela inhloko bayakuvotela. Bazavotelwa zinhloko zabo. (These people are always telling each other that we are uneducated and they can buy us with food. We will not vote for them). Mr Moyo will see that it is us residents who are important, not the few people from the structures that he is always inviting to his house for tea," said Ms Moyo.
"UMoyo asimfuni ngoba ngumakoti owalethwa nguMaKhupe singamcelanga. (We do not want Mr Moyo because he was imposed by Ms Khupe)," fumed Ms Moyo.
Clr Sibanda's family acknowledged that relations were bad between him and an aspiring candidate.
Speaking at their Mzilikazi home yesterday, Clr Sibanda's wife, Elizabeth confirmed that his opponents were always threatening him over the council elections.
His grandson, Mr Bongani Sibanda said he chased away one of his grandfather's opponents from the funeral because of her remarks over the elections.
Contacted for comment, Mr Moyo said he did not attend Clr Sibanda's burial because he was attending his sister's funeral.
Source - chronicle
