News / Local
Internal war erupts over MDC-T Bulawayo mayor
12 Sep 2013 at 07:44hrs | Views
AN internal war is brewing within MDC-T over mayoral candidates after the province yesterday said it would not recognise results of an election conducted by the party's secretary for Local Government, Mr Blessing Chebundo on Wednesday.
Mr Chebundo reportedly presided over polls at the party's Bulawayo provincial headquarters on Wednesday Night, to choose a mayor from among elected councillors, after the High Court dismissed MDC-T urgent application to compel Government to accept the nomination on non-counillors as mayors in the country.
According to party officials, Councillors voted for Councillor Martin K Moyo of Ward 3 for Mayor. Clr Moyo beat Ward 20's Clr Earnest Rafamoyo for the post.
The officials said Clr Rafamoyo went on to be elected deputy mayor after shrugging off a stiff challenge from Clr Collet Ndhlovu of Ward 28.
"There was drama when the deputy mayor was elected as Mr Chebundo started by disqualifying Clr Gift Banda (Ward 5) as party members said he could not be considered because he had been in the party for less than a year. Clr Banda threw a tantrum saying the party was being unfair as he had sponsored the upkeep of several senior party leaders in South Africa for a number of years," said the official.
The issue took a new dimension yesterday afternoon, when first, MDC-T Spokesperson for Bulawayo Mr Mandla Sibanda said he was not aware of the election. The Bulawayo provincial organising secretary, Mr Albert Mhlanga was more vocal.
"As a province we do not recognise the election. Infact we did not hear about it. If indeed it took place, we are not part of it. Ask Chebundo if you have any questions. We made a resolution on the issue with councillors, which I cannot reveal to you," said Mr Mhlanga.
He said if Clr Banda was disqualified, it was a wrong move by Mr Chebundo.
"As far as I am concerned, Mr Banda is an elected councillor who should be treated in the same way as all other councillors," said Mr Mhlanga.
Mr Chebundo andMDC-T national spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora could not be reached on their mobile phones for comment.
However, a number of councillors yesterday said they stood by Thursday's election result.
"We are tired of our leaders who are playing ego games. Some are opposing each other just to make their weight felt. Whatever decision they will make next, we will vote for Clr Moyo and Clr Rafamoyo when the time comes for us to elect mayors in council," said one of the councillors.
MDC-T has been battling to battling internal strife as party members have resisted the leadership's decision to impose mayors who were not elected councillors. Members have celebrated the Government's decision not to allow non councillors to be appointed as mayors.
They have also expressed satisfaction with the High Court ruling.
In Bulawayo, Party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had imposed National University of Science and Technology lecturer Dr Mandla Nyathi.
Mr Chebundo reportedly presided over polls at the party's Bulawayo provincial headquarters on Wednesday Night, to choose a mayor from among elected councillors, after the High Court dismissed MDC-T urgent application to compel Government to accept the nomination on non-counillors as mayors in the country.
According to party officials, Councillors voted for Councillor Martin K Moyo of Ward 3 for Mayor. Clr Moyo beat Ward 20's Clr Earnest Rafamoyo for the post.
The officials said Clr Rafamoyo went on to be elected deputy mayor after shrugging off a stiff challenge from Clr Collet Ndhlovu of Ward 28.
"There was drama when the deputy mayor was elected as Mr Chebundo started by disqualifying Clr Gift Banda (Ward 5) as party members said he could not be considered because he had been in the party for less than a year. Clr Banda threw a tantrum saying the party was being unfair as he had sponsored the upkeep of several senior party leaders in South Africa for a number of years," said the official.
The issue took a new dimension yesterday afternoon, when first, MDC-T Spokesperson for Bulawayo Mr Mandla Sibanda said he was not aware of the election. The Bulawayo provincial organising secretary, Mr Albert Mhlanga was more vocal.
"As a province we do not recognise the election. Infact we did not hear about it. If indeed it took place, we are not part of it. Ask Chebundo if you have any questions. We made a resolution on the issue with councillors, which I cannot reveal to you," said Mr Mhlanga.
He said if Clr Banda was disqualified, it was a wrong move by Mr Chebundo.
"As far as I am concerned, Mr Banda is an elected councillor who should be treated in the same way as all other councillors," said Mr Mhlanga.
Mr Chebundo andMDC-T national spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora could not be reached on their mobile phones for comment.
However, a number of councillors yesterday said they stood by Thursday's election result.
"We are tired of our leaders who are playing ego games. Some are opposing each other just to make their weight felt. Whatever decision they will make next, we will vote for Clr Moyo and Clr Rafamoyo when the time comes for us to elect mayors in council," said one of the councillors.
MDC-T has been battling to battling internal strife as party members have resisted the leadership's decision to impose mayors who were not elected councillors. Members have celebrated the Government's decision not to allow non councillors to be appointed as mayors.
They have also expressed satisfaction with the High Court ruling.
In Bulawayo, Party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had imposed National University of Science and Technology lecturer Dr Mandla Nyathi.
Source - Byo24News
