News / Regional
MDC defectors' victory triggers headaches in MDC-T
30 May 2013 at 05:01hrs | Views
MDC-T structures in Matabeleland North Province are fuming as defectors from the Professor Welshman Ncube-led formation won in the party's primaries held on Tuesday.
The party structures are accusing the senior leadership of imposing candidates, especially those who defected from Prof Ncube's MDC formation.
The return of Mr Abednico Bhebhe, who is the MDC-T deputy organising secretary, Mr Njabuliso Mguni, Mr Maxwell Dube, Mr Thembinkosi Sibindi and Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo seems to have widened fissures within the party structures as "loyal" party members felt sidelined.
Although provincial chairman Mr Sengezo Tshabangu said voting went on smoothly, insiders yesterday said the outcome was manipulated to accommodate omafikizolo (Johnny come-latelies).
"There is no point in putting newcomers as candidates ahead of old members who have been loyal to the party for years since the 2005 split.
"The MDC-T will be defeated come election time because people are very bitter about this issue," a senior party official in Matabeleland North said.
Mrs Roseline Nkomo, wife to Lobengula MP Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, is part of the group that is facing rejection by party structures as she is regarded as junior.
Mr Bhebhe and Mr Mguni will contest in Nkayi South and Lupane East constituencies respectively while Mrs Nkomo was likely to face Professor Jonathan Moyo in Tsholotsho North.
Party members said Mrs Nkomo won because she was riding on her husband's shoulders.
They said the nomination of newcomers would weaken the party ahead of elections because they did not have grassroots support.
In Bubi constituency, Mr Mark Harold Ncube a former policeman won the primaries while Mr Lulindo Masuku, who was defeated by the incumbent MP Dr Obert Mpofu in 2008, won the Umguza poll.
Elections failed to kick off in Tsholotsho South where party members reportedly blocked Mr Dube (who also defected from the MDC), saying he was too junior to occupy the post ahead of seniors.
Sitting MPs Mr Brian Tshuma (Hwange Centra), Mr Joel Gabbuza Gabuza (Binga South) and Mr Wesley Sansole (Hwange East) were the only confirmed sitting candidates.
Their counterparts, Binga North MP Mr Patrick Sibanda and Hwange West MP Mr Gift Mabhena were not confirmed after they failed to garner the two thirds majority vote.
The party structures are accusing the senior leadership of imposing candidates, especially those who defected from Prof Ncube's MDC formation.
The return of Mr Abednico Bhebhe, who is the MDC-T deputy organising secretary, Mr Njabuliso Mguni, Mr Maxwell Dube, Mr Thembinkosi Sibindi and Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo seems to have widened fissures within the party structures as "loyal" party members felt sidelined.
Although provincial chairman Mr Sengezo Tshabangu said voting went on smoothly, insiders yesterday said the outcome was manipulated to accommodate omafikizolo (Johnny come-latelies).
"There is no point in putting newcomers as candidates ahead of old members who have been loyal to the party for years since the 2005 split.
"The MDC-T will be defeated come election time because people are very bitter about this issue," a senior party official in Matabeleland North said.
Mrs Roseline Nkomo, wife to Lobengula MP Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, is part of the group that is facing rejection by party structures as she is regarded as junior.
Mr Bhebhe and Mr Mguni will contest in Nkayi South and Lupane East constituencies respectively while Mrs Nkomo was likely to face Professor Jonathan Moyo in Tsholotsho North.
Party members said Mrs Nkomo won because she was riding on her husband's shoulders.
They said the nomination of newcomers would weaken the party ahead of elections because they did not have grassroots support.
In Bubi constituency, Mr Mark Harold Ncube a former policeman won the primaries while Mr Lulindo Masuku, who was defeated by the incumbent MP Dr Obert Mpofu in 2008, won the Umguza poll.
Elections failed to kick off in Tsholotsho South where party members reportedly blocked Mr Dube (who also defected from the MDC), saying he was too junior to occupy the post ahead of seniors.
Sitting MPs Mr Brian Tshuma (Hwange Centra), Mr Joel Gabbuza Gabuza (Binga South) and Mr Wesley Sansole (Hwange East) were the only confirmed sitting candidates.
Their counterparts, Binga North MP Mr Patrick Sibanda and Hwange West MP Mr Gift Mabhena were not confirmed after they failed to garner the two thirds majority vote.
Source - herald
