News / National
MDC-T supporters label their chairman a sellout
16 Aug 2012 at 06:37hrs | Views
Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai's Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Japhet Karemba has come under intense criticism from party supporters who accuse him of "selling out" after he reportedly admitted the party was responsible for the violent clashes pitting MDC-T and Zanu-PF supporters at Murombedzi business centre in Zvimba district last month.
Karemba allegedly made the admission and apology last Thursday during a Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) meeting to investigate the violent clashes where scores of people were injured and two vehicles damaged.
According to party sources, Karemba pleaded for mercy from his party's Jomic representative, Zanu-PF provincial chairperson John Mafa and traditional leaders present and allegedly took blame for the violence. But contacted for comment yesterday, Karemba scoffed at the allegations describing them as "nonsense".
"That is all nonsense, actually who said that? The meeting was a Jomic endeavour to create peace following the skirmishes.
"If you need more of what I said contact our Jomic liaison officer. Don't believe that nonsense," Karemba, who has oftentimes courted controversy, said.
Earlier this year, 23 of the 24-member provincial executive council, save for his wife who also sits in the body, passed a "vote of no confidence" in his leadership, but he was saved by the national leadership which warned of dire consequences on the MDC-T if he was ousted. Karemba's reported links to Zanu PF's Mafa have also been questioned.
A fortnight ago, MDC-T national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa reportedly issued Karemba with a final warning to prove his leadership qualities or face dismissal.
Karemba allegedly made the admission and apology last Thursday during a Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) meeting to investigate the violent clashes where scores of people were injured and two vehicles damaged.
According to party sources, Karemba pleaded for mercy from his party's Jomic representative, Zanu-PF provincial chairperson John Mafa and traditional leaders present and allegedly took blame for the violence. But contacted for comment yesterday, Karemba scoffed at the allegations describing them as "nonsense".
"That is all nonsense, actually who said that? The meeting was a Jomic endeavour to create peace following the skirmishes.
"If you need more of what I said contact our Jomic liaison officer. Don't believe that nonsense," Karemba, who has oftentimes courted controversy, said.
Earlier this year, 23 of the 24-member provincial executive council, save for his wife who also sits in the body, passed a "vote of no confidence" in his leadership, but he was saved by the national leadership which warned of dire consequences on the MDC-T if he was ousted. Karemba's reported links to Zanu PF's Mafa have also been questioned.
A fortnight ago, MDC-T national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa reportedly issued Karemba with a final warning to prove his leadership qualities or face dismissal.
Source - newsday
