MDC-T property fight erupts

DEPOSED MDC-T Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Sengezo Tshabangu faces arrest for allegedly refusing to release party property in his possession.

The fight for control of party assets in Matabeleland North is between Tshabangu's ousted executive and the new interim one led by Thembinkosi Sibindi.

Sources said Tshabangu's executive continues to ignore appeals to surrender an MDC-T Isuzu vehicle and party documents to Sibindi.

Tshabangu and his executive were recently ousted for alleged incompetence, but observers believe the move is linked to recent calls for party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to step down. Tshabangu has rejected the vote of no confidence passed on him and his executive citing irregularities in the convening of the meeting.

He is demanding disciplinary action against Sibindi and his executive as well as the party's national organising department that sanctioned the holding of the meeting.

Sibindi told Southern Eye yesterday that they were left with no option but to seek police assistance to force Tshabangu to surrender the vehicle and other party documents.

"They (Tshabangu and his executive) forcibly took the party vehicle last week from our Matabeleland North administrator. They are refusing to surrender the vehicle, its registration book and other documents and we have no option but turn to the police," Sibindi said yesterday by telephone.

When reached for comment, Tshabangu was adamant that he would not surrender the party vehicle to the interim executive led by Sibindi.

"I am still the chairman and I will not surrender the vehicle to Sibindi. They (Sibindi executive) are illegally constituted and we will not take orders from them. We are the custodians of all property belonging to the MDC-T in Matabeleland North province," Tshabangu said.