MDC-T's Gorden Moyo returns to work

MDC-T's Bulawayo provincial chairperson Gorden Moyo will return to work this week after a sabbatical amid revelations he could leave the crisis ridden party by Friday.

Moyo took a sabbatical in mid-March at about the same time festering divisions in the MDC-T over party leader Morgan Tsvangirai's continued leadership were reaching boiling point.

The Makokoba MP has been accused of trying to avoid openly backing Tsvangirai and being linked to Tendai Biti's renewal faction.

However, Tsvangirai foiled an attempt by Bulawayo province to oust Moyo during his absence.

Insiders yesterday said Moyo was frustrated by the MDC-T infighting to the extent that he was on the verge of quitting politics.

The sources also revealed that the problems dogging MDC-T's Bulawayo province were far from over.

The widening divisions were more pronounced yesterday when organising secretary Albert Mhlanga chaired a meeting to announce Moyo's return while MDC-T deputy president Thokozani Khupe summoned Bulawayo based legislators to her homestead in Bubi district.

Acting provincial chairperson Dorcas Sibanda, a staunch Khupe ally, did not attend the meeting as she was in Bubi.

Mhlanga was with his deputy Tshepiso Ngwenya who is tipped to take over as organising secretary as Mhlanga is likely to take over from Moyo if he steps down either on Thursday or Friday.

"Moyo is coming back on Thursday or Friday to address all the issues that were being raised during his absence," the source said. "He is likely to make a big announcement that will shake the MDC-T.

"Moyo is basically fed up with the circus in the MDC-T and has been working on an exit strategy.

"He is not joining Biti's Renewal Team as has been speculated."

The source said Mhlanga tried not to pre-empt Moyo's announcement as he only told executive members that their questions would be answered either soon.

Both Moyo and Mhlanga were not reachable for comment yesterday.

Acting MDC-T spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza, who was told to stop commenting on party issues by Sibanda last week, confirmed there was a meeting yesterday but said it an internal one.

He refused to comment on the issues that were discussed.

Jostling for Moyo's seat has already started with Mhlanga seen as the front runner.

Khupe, who could not be reached for comment is reportedly pushing for Bulawayo deputy mayor Gift Banda.

Banda was reportedly at the MDC-T offices yesterday but it was not clear if he had attended the meeting.

Mhlanga and Khupe are said to be battling for the control of the province.