MDC-T Heavyweights Fight Over Suspension of Top Members
Biti and party organising secretary Nelson Chamisa are also said to be clashing on the suspension of some party members in Manicaland and Matabeleland North
WASHINGTON DC — The factionalism in the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is deepening despite claims by the leadership that the warring parties have patched up their differences. Senior members of the party such as secretary general Tendai Biti, Youth Assembly president Solomon Madzore and Youth Assembly secretary general Promise Mkwananzi, who are suspected to be calling for leadership renewal in the labour-backed party, have not attended the rallies held by party leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Budiriro, Glen Norah B, Chitungwiza, Mabvuku and this weekend in Bulawayo. Biti and party organising secretary Nelson Chamisa are also said to be clashing on the suspension of some party members in Manicaland and Matabeleland North, who are said to be sympathetic to suspended deputy treasurer general, Elton Mangoma. Those suspended in Manicaland are chairman Julius Mangoma and spokesman Pishai Muchauraya. Though Chamisa suspended them, Biti is said to have called the move unprocedural. Biti refused to comment when reached for comment. But Chamisa told VOA Studio 7 that stubborn members will be suspended. But Muchauraya dismissed the charge saying he was being targeted for daring to challenge for a senior position in the party. Meanwhile, a war of words has erupted between two former MDC-Ncube legislators, who joined the Tsvangirai MDC at the weekend, and their former party. Siyabonga Malandu Ncube, a former Insiza South lawmaker and former Mangwe legislator, Edward Mkhosi, were paraded at an MDC-T rally in Bulawayo on Saturday. The pair announced late last year that they were quitting Ncube’s party over differences with the nomination of secretary general, Priscillah Misihairambwi Mushonga to represent Matabeleland South under the proportional representation system. Spokesman, Nhlanhla Dube said the two were no longer members of the party and should therefore not be regarded as defectors. But Malandu-Ncube, a former legislator for Insiza South, is not happy with the way that the Ncube MDC is handling his joining the MDC-T.