News / Local
MDC-T leadership wrangle turns tribal
06 May 2014 at 20:31hrs | Views
THE no holds barred MDC-T leadership renewal wrangle has taken a tribal turn in Bulawayo with members suspected to have links with Secretary general Tendai Biti circulating a memo in which they demand the removal of some Shona people in the provincial structure.
The party has been divided into two camps with one advocating for MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai ouster while the other is backing Biti.
As the rift continues to widen in the province, some party supporters have started distributing flier's headlined "Gumbura Must Go."
The fliers are likening Tsvangirai to Robert Martin Gumbura, the infamous RMG Independent End Time Message church leader who was recently jailed for sexually abusing a majority of woman at his church.
The rat-eaters jibe in the in the flier apparently refers to Shona speaking people for whom the rodents are a delicacy.
Tsvangirai who was married to Elizabeth Macheka has been linked to US-based Zimbabwean doctor Arikana Chihombori, Aquilina Kayidza Pamberi, commodity broker Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo, Loreta Nyathi and an unnamed woman said to live in Norton earning himself the title "Gumbura" from Bulawayo province party members.
Acting provincial chairperson Dorcas Sibanda said: "as the MDC-T faction behind Tsvangirai we're not worried about the unruly elements circulating the stupid fliers as they are bent on causing mayhem and disorder.
"As a party of excellency we are not moved by the fliers, we are not moved by the tribalism claims. We are not a tribalist party and we will never become one. It is wishful thinking on the party of those who created the fliers," she said.
Sibanda said Tsvangirai was Shona while his deputy Khupe was from Matabeleland region- a structure she said represented unity of purpose.
"We don't condone tribalism in the party because we are one people. This cheap talk to discredit us should come to an end. We want to se things happening in our country. We are a labour party and want to see the employers living a comfortable live," said Sibanda.
She defended Tsvangirai's bed - hopping allegations saying that people should focus on nation building.
"What is wrong with a man falling in love with the women he wants? Let's focus on real issues and not tissues," she said.
The party has been divided into two camps with one advocating for MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai ouster while the other is backing Biti.
As the rift continues to widen in the province, some party supporters have started distributing flier's headlined "Gumbura Must Go."
The fliers are likening Tsvangirai to Robert Martin Gumbura, the infamous RMG Independent End Time Message church leader who was recently jailed for sexually abusing a majority of woman at his church.
The rat-eaters jibe in the in the flier apparently refers to Shona speaking people for whom the rodents are a delicacy.
Acting provincial chairperson Dorcas Sibanda said: "as the MDC-T faction behind Tsvangirai we're not worried about the unruly elements circulating the stupid fliers as they are bent on causing mayhem and disorder.
"As a party of excellency we are not moved by the fliers, we are not moved by the tribalism claims. We are not a tribalist party and we will never become one. It is wishful thinking on the party of those who created the fliers," she said.
Sibanda said Tsvangirai was Shona while his deputy Khupe was from Matabeleland region- a structure she said represented unity of purpose.
"We don't condone tribalism in the party because we are one people. This cheap talk to discredit us should come to an end. We want to se things happening in our country. We are a labour party and want to see the employers living a comfortable live," said Sibanda.
She defended Tsvangirai's bed - hopping allegations saying that people should focus on nation building.
"What is wrong with a man falling in love with the women he wants? Let's focus on real issues and not tissues," she said.
Source - Byo24News
