THE MDC-T Matabeleland North and South administrative offices have reportedly been shut down after employees quit in frustration over unpaid salaries.
NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER
The party’s administrative offices are in Hwange and Gwanda respectively. Insiders said employees had gone for a number of months without pay as the party struggles financially following the reported drying up of donor funding and as well as ongoing leadership squabbles.
“There was no money coming to ensure the administrative offices continue being operational. The offices were the ones co-ordinating party activities for the two provinces and the staff had gone for nearly four months without pay until they quit in frustration,” a party insider said.
However, MDC-T Matabeleland South spokesperson Mthokozisi Bhebhe and Matabeleland North interim chairperson Thembinkosi Sibindi refuted the allegations saying some staff members were on leave and had not quit.
“That is not true unless I am not aware of the closure of the Matabeleland North offices. I know for certain that some staff members in our offices are on leave and we have some people holding fort,” said Sibindi yesterday in a telephone interview.
Bhebhe said: “The workers are there and the offices are operational. However, we have adopted a different approach where we are saying we can’t have offices open throughout as was the case so that we protect office property from being grabbed by the followers of the renewal team. We have tightened security at our offices but they are open to party members.”
Claims that the party had shut down its offices come a day after reports that about 16 MDC-T employees had engaged lawyers to demand compensation from the party for unfair dismissal.
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Apart from the bruising power struggle, the MDC-T is facing financial problems that have seen the party failing to pay its workers and other services. The party has turned to its followers asking them for financial contributions.
