MDC-T squabbles spill into courts

The fight for MDC-T Bulawayo Provincial chairship post spilled into the courts yesterday with the losing candidate, Matson Hlalo, filling an application at the High Court to interdict the newly elected chair, Gift Banda, from conducting his duties until his appeal to overturn the election has been finalised.

Hlalo who was represented by his lawyer, Godfrey Nyoni, filed his application before Justice Martin Makonese, questioning Banda's eligibility to hold the provincial chairship of Bulawayo.

In the application, where he cited the party president Morgan Tsvangirai, chairperson Lovemore Moyo and the MDC-T party as respondents, the senator alleged that the elections that saw Banda winning by 707 votes against his 413, were marred by vote-buying and reports of ballot stuffing.

Meanwhile, the former MDC-T Matebeleland North provincial chairperson, Sengezo Tshabangu's driver, yesterday professed ignorance over the split within the party, saying he had no knowledge of the Tendai Biti-led renewal team.

Lameck Ndlovu, who was allegedly hijacked by the opposition party's vice-president Thokozani Khuphe's chauffer and his accomplice in May this year, was testifying before magistrate Mark Dzira at the Bulawayo Regional Court.

Tshabangu is aligned to the renewal team. In the application for the provisional order, Tshabangu claimed that the vehicle belonged to Laphonic Enterprises Pvt Ltd and the company had authorised him to use it.