Fistfights at MDC-T Bulawayo meeting

Police were called in when fistfights broke out at an MDC-T meeting in the Bulawayo provincial offices today, 27 February.

The provincial executive meeting was reportedly disrupted when MDC-T Bulawayo vice chairperson Dorcas Sibanda allegedly demanded to know why the province had not elected her as interim chairperson when incumbent Gift Banda was forced to step down.

A court order barred Banda from office when Matson Hlalo contested his election into office.

Sibanda was reportedly overwhelmingly rejected by the province as Banda's replacement for the duration of the court battle, two weeks ago.

The province elected Nomvula Mguni instead.

At today's meeting, Sibanda was allegedly accompanied by about 20 members of the MDC-T Veteran Activist Association (VAA).

She allegedly demanded a review of the election that she lost to Mguni.

"We had been told that she was plotting to cause chaos so we were ready for her. Security stopped the alleged VAA members from entering the venue. They however started fighting with security guards as they tried to force their way in," said a party source that declined to be named.

The source said there were skirmishes at around 6 pm that left a security guard with a black eye.
"We called the police but by the time they arrived, Dorcas's people had fled. The meeting continued with Dorcas threatening to form parallel provincial structures," said the source.

Sibanda was not reachable for comment on her mobile phone while the party's provincial spokesperson Mandla Sibanda was not answering his phone.