Mayor face ouster over MDC Veterans function

BULAWAYO Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo faces a possible ouster after he attended a function that was reportedly organised by an organisation that is not recognised by his parent party, the MDC-T.

The party's leadership has since dispatched its national chairperson, Mr Lovemore Moyo, to meet the MDC Veteran Activists Association leadership and further investigate the allegations that the mayor was part of the function, with the task of suggesting a possible way forward.

Party sources close to the latest developments alleged Clr Moyo could face the wrath of the party after he attended the unveiling of a house that was built by the MDC Veteran Activists Association for Mrs Regina Ndlovu at St Peter's Village last Saturday.

The association is not recognised by the party leadership and is viewed as a rebel organisation with close links to Senator Matson Hlalo who was last year suspended from the party.

"It is simple, the mayor attended a function that was not sanctioned by the party and was organised by people viewed as rebels within the party, hence the provincial leadership is questioning his allegiance.

"The association has on the other hand made it clear that they do not recognise the Bulawayo provincial leadership, so for Clr Moyo to attend such a function is rebellious," said the party source.

The source further confirmed that the national chairperson had been in the city to meet with the so-called veterans association leadership and was also set to meet with the provincial leadership to map a way forward.

Contacted for comment, the party's provincial spokesperson, Mr Mandla Sibanda, said while they had not received a formal report on the matter, they were going to engage Clr Moyo to find out in which capacity he had attended the function, noting that this was a grouping that had been condemned by the party leadership.

"While we haven't received a formal report on this matter, what we will have to do is find out from the mayor on what capacity he attended that function, noting the party's position regarding that association.

"I guess after we make these necessary enquiries and investigations on who really attended, we can then have a clear position as a party," said Mr Sibanda.

However, Clr Moyo hit back saying he was a mere junior member of the MDC-T and if there were any differences with any particular association this had to be dealt with by more senior members in the party.

He said he saw nothing wrong in attending the function as the association itself was made up of members of the MDC-T whom he viewed as colleagues.

"I was there as the mayor to witness a good deed and further celebrate it. I see nothing wrong with that, besides, that association is made up of members of the MDC-T hence I was among peers.

"I am not even a senior member of the party, I am just a mere junior member. If there is any form of factionalism or fight within party structures it is not my place to choose sides. Instead the senior members should be at the fore in resolving these differences. As far as I am concerned I did nothing wrong," said Clr Moyo.

The association consists of members who have been active in the party since 1999 but were blacklisted by the party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who viewed it as a parallel structure.

The function was reportedly also attended by former MDC-T deputy-secretary general Mr Tapiwa Mashakada and the embattled Sen Hlalo.