BULAWAYO councillor Sheila Musonda, who yesterday denied ever defecting to MDC-Renewal, was captured on video last October being paraded during the unveiling of the defectors. Staff Reporter
Musonda is among three Bulawayo councillors who have written to MDC-T pledging undying loyalty and allegiance, as fears of a recall continue to grow.
However, yesterday Musonda said she was never part of the MDC-Renewal.
But Southern Eye captured her on video being introduced by then Bulawayo chairman Kucaca Phulu.
In the clip, Musonda is heard saying there were 13 other councillors who defected to MDC-Renewal.
Since October she has been active at MDC-Renewal functions and late last year she voted with other 14 councillors in a bid to oust Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo and deputy Gift Banda.
There were fears that the MDC-T was planning to recall rebel councillors, just as it did with legislators that crossed the floor to MDC-Renewal.
Meanwhile, MDC-Renewal yesterday partly denied reports that three of its councillors had rejoined MDC-T, saying only one councillor had officially made it clear that she was going back to the Morgan Tsvangirai-led party.
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MDC-Renewal chairperson Amen Mpofu said only Musonda had gone back to MDC-T due to promises made to councillors by the government and she feared losing out if she was recalled.
Letters gleaned by Southern Eye showed that those councillors — Lilian Mlilo, Gladys Masuku and Musonda — wrote to the MDC-T reaffirming their status as loyal members, who had not defected to MDC-Renewal.
Mpofu said only Musonda had returned to the MDC-T while the other two — Mlilo and Masuku — had told him that they were not going back and had signed the letters under duress.
“It is not correct that they have all gone back to MDC-T,” said Mpofu.
“On Monday I had a meeting with Musonda at her Mzilikazi home when I heard that they were planning to go.
“She was very clear to me as she said she would never take any advice from anyone, either MDC-T or MDC-Renewal.
“I was talking to her as chairperson.”
Mpofu said she mentioned three things about her move, saying she was given $200 by MDC-T deputy president Thokozani Khupe.
