ABOUT 20 members of the MDC led by Welshman Ncube from Bulawayo have defected to the rival MDC-T as the party continues facing the possibility of an implosion.
RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR REPORTER
MDC members from the party’s Pumula district led by the losing National Assembly candidate for the constituency Loyisa Chamisa-Ncube defected to the MDC-T accusing Ncube of concentrating on regional politics instead of working to dislodge President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.
MDC-T deputy organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe yesterday confirmed the defections to Southern Eye.
“It’s true about 20 people have defected to our party including their candidate for Pumula National Assembly Chamisa-Ncube and an aspiring councillor for Ward 17 Nqobizitha Moyo ,” said Bhebhe.
“They said Ncube was preaching regional politics and had accepted his ideas, but they have since found out that he was not a genuine leader as he lacked the qualities to dislodge Mugabe. They said they wanted to rally behind one candidate who they know can remove Mugabe from power and that candidate is (MDC-T leader) Morgan Tsvangirai.”
However, MDC Bulawayo spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu said they were unfazed by the defections as the group comprised people who were running away from a disciplinary hearing that was to start on Thursday.
“The people you are talking about were suspended from the party three weeks ago and they are now running away from disciplinary proceedings due on Thursday,” said Ndlovu.
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“Actually it’s good riddance to indiscipline. We want to remain with committed cadres not political prostitutes. It’s unfortunate they are following a corpse to the grave because MDC-T is dead already. We wish them the best in their new home, the cemetery,” Ndlovu said.
In October MDC suspended its Pumula district chairperson and aspiring MP for the same constituency, Chamisa-Ncube and the organising secretary Moyo, and also dissolved party structures in the district for allegedly sabotaging the party’s campaigns ahead of the July 31 elections.
Chamisa-Ncube and Moyo were facing the axe following their suspension by the Bulawayo provincial executive committee.
Accusations against the Pumula MDC structures are that they hid party campaign materials and refused to campaign for Ncube, among other candidates, resulting in the party suffering a crushing defeat in the polls.
The Pumula district also faces charges of disrespecting the MDC leadership and pushing for the ouster of Ncube in the aftermath of the party’s July 31 heavy electoral defeat.
MDC Matabeleland South chairperson Petros Mukwena was also expelled from the party last month for leading calls for the removal of party secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga from the National Assembly saying the seat she occupies in Parliament belongs to Matabeleland South.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga is in Parliament courtesy of proportional representation.
This was followed by the sacking of former Bulawayo deputy mayor Aldermen Charles Mpofu over the same issue.
