'Thabitha Khumalo fanning factionalism'

MDC-T national executive member Thabitha Khumalo has been accused of fanning factionalism in the party after visiting Matabeleland North provincial structures last Friday to mobilise members to demonstrate against the firing of Senator Matson Hlalo.

The MDC-T has since made a U-turn on its expulsion of Hlalo from the party after he successfully appealed.

He will now appear before a disciplinary committee facing charges of acting in defiance of the national council's resolutions.

MDC-T sources yesterday said that Khumalo's visit has riled the Thembinkosi Sibindi-led provincial executive that believes the Bulawayo East legislator wants to establish parallel structures in the province.

Sibindi yesterday confirmed Khumalo's visit but would not be drawn into giving details.

"I confirm that she came here on Friday but I don't know why she was here, you can ask her," he said.

However, party sources said Khumalo visited Matabeleland North and convened a meeting at which she told party members to demonstrate against the party's resolution to fire Hlalo ahead of hearings on Friday this week.

"She organised a meeting without following party's procedures. She's now bringing Bulawayo problems to Matabeleland North.

"We don't want those problems here, she wants to bring Bulawayo's disorder to our province," said the source.

The sources revealed that Khumalo convened the meeting with the assistance of provincial secretary Mxolisi Ndlovu and deputy information secretary Vusumuzi Moyo.

"We're against her because she's causing problems within our party. She went to Hwange and did the same.

"She is in support of those people who are waiting for their hearings. She was here to protect her political allies and not pursue the interests of the party," said a source.

Khumalo yesterday declined to comment saying, "I'm boarding a plane. I can't comment. This is not a bus, but a plane."

Efforts to contact Ndlovu and Moyo failed.