Internal fissures tearing MDC apart

Failure by the MDC leadership to resolve discontent among members over the imposition of party secretary general, Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga as Umzingwane parliamentarian has left the party in turmoil.

A number of senior officials have in the past few weeks resigned after the leadership failed to handle the Misihairambwi Mushonga matter.

Senior officials who have left the party include former Insiza South MP, Siyabonga Malandu Ncube, former research and policy director Qhubani Moyo and secretary for international relations Sondon Mugaradziko.

Meanwhile, about 20 members of the MDC led by Welshman Ncube from Bulawayo have defected to the rival MDC-T as the party continues facing the possibility of an implosion.

MDC members from the party's Pumula district led by the losing National Assembly candidate for the constituency Loyisa Chamisa-Ncube defected to the MDC-T accusing Ncube of concentrating on regional politics instead of working to dislodge President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.

MDC-T deputy organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe yesterday confirmed the defections

MDC Matabeleland South chairperson Petros Mukwena was also expelled from the party last month for leading calls for the removal of party secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga from the National Assembly saying the seat she occupies in Parliament belongs to Matabeleland South.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga is in Parliament courtesy of proportional representation.

This was followed by the sacking of former Bulawayo deputy mayor Aldermen Charles Mpofu over the same issue.