MDC-T house burns in Masvingo

By The Standard | Apr. 16, 2014

MDC-T is literally on fire in Masvingo as officials in the faction-riddled provincial executive trade accusations of trying to topple party leader Morgan Tsvangirai among many other issues.

TATENDA CHITAGU STAFF REPORTER

Some executive members loyal to Tsvangirai on Sunday held a meeting which those aligned to expelled deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma allegedly boycotted. Mangoma, Promise Mkhwananzi, Last Maengahama and Jacob Mafume were expelled last week for indiscipline after calling for Tsvangirai’s ouster.

Tsvangirai’s sympathisers resolved to take over the party’s safe house in Rhodene low-density suburb and accused provincial chairman Wilstuff Sitemere and provincial secretary Tongai Matutu of failing to convene a single meeting after the party’s dismal performance in the July 31 elections last year.

However, at a hurriedly organised press conference at the contested property at number 32 Marula Street, which they allegedly had to break the lock to gain access, the so-called rebels, led by Sitemere, Matutu and provincial spokesperson Harrison Mudzuri, said the Sunday meeting by the rival faction was a “bogus one”.

“They invited people to a bogus provincial meeting chaired by Boas Manyanye, secretary for elections and Dereck Charamba secretary for legal affairs where they announced that they took over the party office from the rebels,” Matutu said.

“They did not constitute a quorum as 13 members out of 38 attended. Any resolutions they passed are null and void.”

Matutu said the meeting was a serious breach of the constitution and an act of misconduct. He said they had resolved to suspend Charamba and Manyanye.

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However, secretary for international relations, Tachiona Chiminya — from the Tsvangirai faction — who stormed the press conference, shot back at Matutu, saying the suspension of Charamba and Manyanye was null and void.