MDC director of policy and research Qhubani Moyo has quit the party saying he is leaving politics to channel his focus on academia.
NDUDUZO TSHUMA STAFF REPORTER
Moyo’s departure has led to speculation that he might be joining Lovemore Madhuku’s newly formed party or has been lured to Zanu PF by party politburo member and newly-appointed Information, Media and Broadcasting minister Jonathan Moyo.
While dismissing the idea of joining Madhuku’s NCA party, the former University of Zimbabwe student activist seemed to leave the door open on the possibility of joining Zanu PF.
“There has been speculation that I had been approached by Madhuku to be secretary-general of his party, which is not true,” Moyo said.
“Others said Jonathan Moyo had been luring me to Zanu PF.
“ I am close to Moyo and share many things with him, including the nationalist agenda, but at the moment I am retreating from politics.
“However, I am open to any possibility given that my people in Matabeleland South voted for Zanu PF in all the 13 constituencies.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“No one should be shocked by any move after what the people of Matabeleland South did,” Moyo told Southern Eye in an interview yesterday.
“The position is that on Saturday, I spoke to party president Welshman Ncube at length and asked to be relieved of my duties as director of policy and research in the party.
“Subsequently, yesterday (Sunday) I wrote a letter of resignation to the party secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga indicating that I was leaving the party.
“I want to focus on academia and contribute to the development of the country in a different capacity.”
Moyo said he thanked Ncube
for allowing him to engage in political discussions, especially during the constitution-making process.
“I thanked him for his great team work, his high work rate and the rest of the green team that worked tirelessly for devolution of power,” he said.
I am one of the people, being a political scientist by training and politician by practice, who have found it hard to understand the voting preferences of the people, particularly in the Matabeleland region.”
Moyo said Matabeleland stood to benefit from devolution, but rejected the very people advocating for it.
“Immediately after, you hear them crying that (President Robert) Mugabe is throwing away devolution,” he said.
“What did they expect? I will try and read and then write a book as a policymaker on voting preferences.
“There is something that we do not know about the people of this region and what they want,” he said.
“Maybe it’s true that the greatest weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.
“You have people who have given up on themselves and have surrendered their destiny into the hands of other people and think they can provide them with solutions to their problems.”
Moyo said his departure from MDC had nothing to do with problems rocking the party with Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Petros Mukwena calling for the immediate dismissal of Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
“My position regarding those issues is that I hope that the leadership will bring together aggrieved parties and find a consensus,” he said.
