Diabolic anti-Ndebele sentiments in MDC-T: Moyo

The Speaker of Parliament and MDC-T national chairman Lovemore Moyo in an in terview with Voice of America confirmed that there is so much anti-Ndebele tribal sentiments within the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, an issue which demands immediate political attention if the party is to be regarded as genuine and alternative to ZANU-PF.

"It has not been easier for for me to be in MDC-T and the MDC-T leadership faces a serious challenge to address prevailing tribal sentiments, and moreso, heal the population from it" said the speaker.

Responding to VOA journalist Gibs Dube's questions on allegations that most Ndebeles were relegated to deputies, Moyo said the advent of the MDC saw people who were so much used to a ZANU-PF system, a system that was vehemently anti-Ndebele becoming members of the new political movement.

"In MDC we are working with people who were in ZANU-PF, a system which was surely anti-Ndebele. We are busy trying to change these attitudes within the MDC because the MDC is a democratic party that is seeking to restore social justice, equality and democracy," Moyo said.

He said these people brought with them such "unacceptable" attitudes which needed to be exorcised from them.

Zimbabweans from different political persuasions including those with ZANU-PF background whose political experience was hatred against people of Matabeleland suddenly saw themselves working at par with the very people they have been trained by the ZANU-PF to persecute. Such attitudes usually take time to deal with, Moyo said.

"There have been a lot of complaints by people of Matabeleland which to me is legitimate as you would know that the only senior position in the MDC has been that of a National Chairman, but still I hear that someone from Mashonaland is now contesting that position as well," he said. Lucia Matibenga is challenging Moyo on the position.

"I do understand why these things are happening. Its solely because most people in Zimbabwe do not understand the difficulties people of Matabeleland underwent through Gukurahundi and being deliberately excluded in the mainstream economics," he said

"It is the duty of our leadership to try and disabuse people from tribal sentiments which seem to be haunting the MDC. All I can say is that the MDC is bigger than such tribal sentiments and such attitudes have no room in our party," he said.

Meanwhile, Moyo also said external provinces such as United Kingdom, USA and South Africa were not yet constitutionally allowed to nominate candidates, but promised to try and amend the constitution.

"As it is, external provinces are not in the same status as provinces at home. We will meet tomorrow as an MDC council and deliberate on the issue and see if we can amend the constitution," he said