Will Defections Cripple Professor Ncube MDC?
The group last year wrote a petition asking president Welshman Ncube to address a number of issues including Ncube’s alleged lack of transparency, handpicking candidates and other issues
WASHINGTON DC — Nearly 100 members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Professor Welshman Ncube, including top officials, this weekend announced that they were quitting the party, a move that will further weaken the party that has seen dozens of leaders deserting it, citing discontent over Ncube’s leadership style. The members, who resigned this week, include former National Healing Minister, Moses Mzila Ndlovu, trade unionist Esoph Mdlongwa and former Members of Parliament, Abednico Moyo, Duduzile Dube and Killian Masuku. The group last year wrote a petition asking party president Welshman Ncube to address a number of issues including Ncube’s alleged lack of transparency, handpicking candidates and other issues. Ncube could not be reached for comment as he was not answering his phone. Mzila Ndlovu said they had been patiently waiting for Ncube to respond to the petition but without any joy. “When we gave him the petition his immediate response was to suspend some and relieve others of their duties. So we met at the weekend and decided that we have had enough because our political careers are now under threat,” he said. Mzila Ndlovu, who was relieved of his duties as secretary general of the party last year, said they were leaving the MDC following Ncube’s failure to address the issues raised in the petition. “The group that I work with decided at the weekend to leave the MDC as a party for the reasons that we had stated in the petition and having far-stretched our patience and hope that the reasons that we had cited as being the reason for our displeasure and dissatisfaction at his style of leadership,” said Mzila Ndlovu. It's uncertain on what is likely to happen to the Ncube MDC formation following this move. Some critics say this might lead to the demise of the party, claims that have dismissed as baseless by some remaining members of the Ncube MDC.