Senior MDC official quits politics

A SENIOR MDC official in the Professor Welshman Ncube led faction has quit the party.

Qhubani Moyo was the party's research and policy director and stood as a candidate in Insiza North where the seat went to Zanu PF.

This latest move is likely to test MDC's staying power, which is already battling inner demons as some party members are demanding the recall of MDC secretary general, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, the Umzingwane national assembly member.

In an interview with Radio Dialogue, Moyo confirmed he was leaving the party saying he was entering into academia for personal fulfilment.

He denied his decision to resign was prompted by MDC's lousy performance in the past elections or internal strife saying the move was inevitable."

At some stage we must make decisions to move, it had to be done at some stage. I want to contribute to national development in a different capacity, as an academic," he said.

Although Moyo admitted the elections were a pin that burst the party's bubble, he believed the party, which he referred to as "our MDC" would emerge victorious some day.

"The election result did hit some of us badly and because we had put so much in it. Realistically speaking Prof Ncube and our MDC really did put everything on the table during elections. We responded to what people had said they want.

"We gave them the framework that we believed was going to transform Zimbabwe. They rejected us en masse, we respect their decision in terms of what they did but obviously that affected us in terms of failing to understand what the electorate wants," he said.

Moyo said as a politician by practice and as a political scientist by training it was time for him to retreat, introspect and try to understand what the electorate really needs.

I want to understand much better what the people of my region want because I'm sure there's something amiss. We are failing to understand that part about them but in terms of the party I want to say I view Prof Ncube as a strong leader. Unfortunately our kind of politics seems not to be attractive for the moment because we are too advanced into the future for the general electorate," he said.
As a parting shot, Moyo said there was no poor performance, as the party would recover and surprise its critics.

"On the failure of the party, I hope it will recover. The conflict inside now about Priscilla has nothing to do with my decision to leave. After introspection., I am sure when I come back I will wiser probably understand our people better and make informed choices from my experiences.