BULAWAYO - The MDC Matabeleland north provincial council has ousted its provincial leadership and endorsed party leader Morgan Tsvangirai as schisms wreck the leading opposition party over calls for leadership renewal started by deputy treasurer-general, Elton Mangoma.
Former Marondera legislator, Ian Kay and exiled treasurer Roy Bennett were the first to call on Tsvangirai to step down after 19 years at the helm of the party that nearly toppled President Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF in the 2008 plebiscite. More than 300 provincial party executives rooted for former Prime Minister, Tsvangirai’s leadership at a weekend meeting at Lupane Growth Point despite efforts by an opposing clique linked to the ejected provincial chairman, Sengezo Tshabangu to scuttle the event.
Efforts by at least 90 delegates to scuttle the meeting were foiled when 309 representatives that make up the MDC provincial council from all party districts present endorsed Tsvangirai’s leadership.
Three days before the crucial meeting, the MDC Matabeleland North provincial youth chairperson, Fredrick Ngwenya told the Daily News that the youth assembly was disturbed by media reports of a planned provincial assembly meeting as they were not aware of it and not part of the intended gathering.
“There are people who are bent on using the party structures to destabilise and divide our party. One such individual is Abednigo Bhebhe who is working overtime to fan divisions and sowing confusion in the party structures,” Ngwenya said.
“We call upon our members in the province to remain focused and not be fooled by Abednigo Bhebhe and his clique.
But Bhebhe, the MDC deputy national organising secretary, dismissed the assertions, saying running to the press would not help solve problems.
“These people are being paid by the opposition to destroy us and are working with Mangoma.
“The fact that they did not come to the meeting shows that they have a hidden agenda,” he said.
Bhebhe accused some members of the now former MDC provincial council board which was chaired by Sengezo Tshabangu of having tried to encourage people to abscond from the decisive meeting without success.
“They visited part of the council village to village in a bid to discourage them from attending the meeting but they could not achieve their goal,” Bhebhe said.
Speaking to the provincial council, the party deputy information director Joel Gabuza said the party should solve its problems amicably.
“My advice to you is to leave communication to those who know so that we do not have confusion in the party. While some of us are working hard to make Tsvangirai win, there are some who are fighting for the opposite,” Gabuza said.
“Do not be used by people but let us look at our problems and deal with them. Those who no longer want to be part of the MDC should leave us in peace,” he said.