Confusion continues to reign supreme within MDC-T Bulawayo province

AS confusion continues to reign supreme within the ranks of the beleaguered MDC-T Bulawayo province, the party has ordered back their arbiter-general to further investigate the power struggles in the province after his initial investigation was dismissed as flawed.

The province has been facing a leadership vacuum after the disputed election of the Bulawayo deputy mayor, Councillor Gift Banda as the chairperson. His rival, Senator Matson Hlalo successfully challenged the election at the High Court of Zimbabwe.

Following the nullification of Clr Banda's election the deputy chairperson and Bulawayo Central legislator, Ms Dorcas Sibanda, was elevated to the post but her tenure did not last as she was soon suspended and replaced by provincial secretary Ms Nomvula Mguni.

The party's leadership, however, two weeks ago, instructed that Ms Sibanda be reinstated.
In the latest revelations, the party has decided to send back the arbiter-general after he was accused of only interviewing members from the Hlalo faction resulting in the party deciding to reinstate Ms Sibanda.

"When the arbiter-general initially came to the province to investigate the matter, it was clouded in secrecy some of us don't even know his name, he was just interested in talking to known members aligned to Hlalo and Dorcas.

"It is clear that someone is out to weaken the province and all they want is to get rid of people they believe to be aligned to Clr Banda and subsequently the vice-president, Ms Thokozani Khupe," said an impeccable party source.

The source further revealed that there was a risk that the party could even make Ms Sibanda the substantive chairperson regardless of the views of members.

Contacted for comment, the party's national spokesperson, Mr Obert Gutu, confirmed that the arbiter-general would soon be in the city to investigate the crisis then make recommendations to the national executive.

"He will be there for two weeks where he is expected to meet members then after that he will be tasked with making recommendations to the national executive but it will be up to the national executive whether or not to accept his recommendations.

"I cannot, however, confirm the dates when he will be arriving but it will be very soon as we would like to resolve that matter with urgency. I should, however, emphasise that this is not a crisis as has been alleged, Bulawayo is still as strong as ever," said Mr Gutu.

According to the party's constitution, the province can no longer suspend or expel a senior member instead they recommend to the national executive which then dispatches the arbiter-general to investigate then make recommendations.