MDC-T factional fights spills into council chambers

The MDC-T infighting has reportedly spilled into council chambers amid reports of a plot to oust council committee chairpersons linked to a camp allegedly at odds with Bulawayo deputy mayor Gift Banda.

Banda, who is also the MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairperson, is alleged to be part of the plot to oust council chairpersons of the environment, finance and town planning committees who are Norman Hlabane, James Sithole and Charles Moyo respectively.

Councillors, who requested anonymity, told Southern Eye the three officials are set to be replaced by Mlandu Ncube, Tholani Ncube and Silas Chigora.

The motion to have the three replaced, sources said, is supposed to be tabled for discussion at the general purposes committee meeting, which is scheduled to be held on October 7.

But, when contacted for comment yesterday, Banda remained mum on the matter.

Party sources indicated factionalism was at play in the underhand moves to replace the three committee chairpersons for allegedly belonging to a rival faction.

Banda's appointment as MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairperson has been tainted by accusations that he was imposed on the party's supporters on factionalism grounds.

The city's deputy mayor is allegedly linked to a faction headed by MDC-T deputy president Thokozani Khuphe.

At one point, Senator Matson Hlalo dragged the party to the High Court to stop Banda from assuming the post, arguing his election was illegal and was fraught with irregularities.