MDC-T in crisis over Bulawayo leadership

INTENSE jockeying for the position of chairperson of the beleaguered MDC-T Bulawayo province has started after the expiry of Mr Gorden Moyo's purported sabbatical last month and his failure to resume party duties at a time some officials have been confessing that they rigged previous party primary elections.

Mr Moyo went on a sabbatical "to pursue studies" in March which was to expire at the end of last month.

However, by last week Mr Moyo had not resumed duties as the provincial chair and remained mum on his future, leading to speculation that he could have joined the party's former secretary general, Mr Tendai Biti's MDC renewal team.

This has thrown the party into turmoil with a number of party members already positioning themselves to replace him.

The party's provincial organising secretary, Pumula legislator Mr Albert Mhlanga, is alleged to be causing conflict within the party as he has been going around confessing to members that they rigged the primary election results in Mpopoma–Pelandaba, Luveve and Entumbane–Emakhandeni constituencies.

Coincidentally, the three winning legislators in these constituencies (Mr Bekithemba Nyathi, Mr Reggie Moyo and Mr Dingilizwe Tshuma), have all been linked with Mr Biti's renewal group.

As the chaos continues to escalate, some of the names that have been thrown around to replace Mr Moyo include the acting chairperson, Ms Dorcas Sibanda and the provincial organising secretary, Mr Mhlanga, while Bulawayo deputy mayor, Councillor Gift Banda is also considered a wild card in the race.

Impeccable party sources have, however, alleged that it was Clr Banda's ascendance that threw the party into disarray, with the party's provincial "old guard" trying to block his possible election, arguing that he was a mafikizolo, while the youth assembly and some senior officials were pushing for an election, which Clr Banda was said to be likely to win.

"The bone of contention is that of the deputy mayor, it is known that when the province calls for an election today or even tomorrow he is most likely going to be voted the provincial chairperson, further he is one of the vice-president's (Ms Thokozani Khupe) most trusted lieutenants.

"However, the likes of (Albert) Mhlanga are seriously opposed to this appointment arguing that they could not allow a 'junior' official to take over the position," said the party source.

Sources said moves to oust Mr Moyo were being buttressed by his failure to pitch up for scheduled party meetings despite his initial assertion that he would be back by 30 May.

"Bulawayo provincial members, please note that I will not be in the office between 10 March and 30 May 2014. As per our constitution Honourable Dorcas Sibanda shall handle all matters requiring the chairperson's attention," reads the message sent by Mr Moyo to the party's provincial executive, two months ago to announce his leave.

Contacted for comment, the party's acting chairperson, Ms Sibanda, acknowledged that the party was at loggerheads over the Mr Moyo issue, saying they were now supposed to convene a meeting to decide his fate and probably elect a substantive chairperson.

"I cannot give a comment at the moment but normally you also know that when someone goes on leave and is meant to come back on a certain date, they should be back but currently there is nothing happening on the ground, he is not active and he has not even communicated with us.

"What is now supposed to happen is that we will meet as a province and decide his fate and the way forward but I cannot reveal when this meeting will be held but soon," said Ms Sibanda.

On allegations that their organising secretary was going around saying the party had rigged some of their primary elections, the Bulawayo Central legislator laughed it off, saying that no one in the party was taking Mr Mhlanga seriously.

"Mr Mhlanga is not the one who sets the party template when holding primary elections, so he has no jurisdiction at all to tell anyone that we rigged the elections, as a party we are not taking him seriously and I would advise you not to take him seriously," said Ms Sibanda.

However, contacted for comment, Mr Mhlanga had no kind words, saying although he was on leave 'until Gorden Moyo comes back' he had indeed being going around the districts acknowledging some of the mistakes the party had made during the primary elections.

"It is difficult for me to comment because I have said I am on leave until Gorden (Moyo) comes back because when I start talking people will say I am lying but the problem is people are not saying this issue as it is meant to be.

"What I am saying is that I am trying to be an honest party cadre, I am a graduate and what is happening is not what I learnt to be; take for example I personally imposed Entumbane legislator Mr Dingilizwe Tshuma, if he says people voted for him let him come forward with those people today, he personally knows that he is not supposed to be there. In Mpopoma - Pelandaba, we don't even know who voted for Bekithemba Nyathi, his people have disappeared or truth be told they never existed, in Luveve constituency, who doesn't know that Reggie Moyo ran away with the ballot boxes," said Mr Mhlanga.

Asked on his interests on becoming the provincial chairperson, Mr Mhlanga declined comment saying he did not want to be branded a liar.

Sunday News also contacted the deputy mayor, Clr Banda who also declined comment on his alleged interest to become the provincial chairperson saying his position was clear from the onset that he was a dedicated party member prepared to serve it in any position.

"It is not about being chairperson or not it is about serving the party," said Clr Banda.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Moyo were fruitless as his mobile phone was continuously not reachable and he further did not respond to an email that was sent to him last week.