via Former Mutare mayor James quits MDC-T | The Herald. June 9, 2014 Felex Share
MDC-T Manicaland provincial treasurer Mr Brian James has resigned from the party and fired a broadside at members aligned to party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s camp for having a penchant for corruption and violence.
Mr James, who was once mayor for Mutare, was Mr Tsvangirai’s key ally in Manicaland, but he has now written a letter of resignation.
The resignation comes after Mr James’ recent fallout with provincial party secretary Mr Misheck Kagurabadza and two others aligned to Mr Tsvangirai’s faction over control of MDC-T assets.
Mr James reported the trio to the police after they allegedly broke into a party office and looted property.
The three were acquitted in court.
In his letter to Mr Tsvangirai, Mr James said chief among his reasons for resigning were “violence and criminal activity”.
He also hinted at disorganisation in last year’s harmonised elections in which ZANU-PF crushed MDC-T.
“My reasons for this resignation are many and varied, but suffice it to include my dismay at conduct carried out by members in Manicaland, with support in the national standing committee, that are contrary to the party’s founding principles,” he said.
“It has become increasingly difficult for me to defend the party in private and public forums while witnessing violence, corruption and criminal activity and the inaction of the national leadership of containing this activity.
“These concerns have dated back to my suspension and tenure as Mayor of Mutare, the party primary elections and the distribution of party regalia and the general conduct of the MDC election campaign 2013.”
Mr James added: “I have given 10 years of my time to further the founding principles of the Movement for Democratic Change and have witnessed the sacrifices of so many loyal supporters over these years only to see their efforts betrayed by careless and unnecessary actions of some members who seem to find it difficult to distance themselves from and engage in the most heinous crimes.”
Mr James said there was confusion in the party as seen by Mr Tapiwa Mashakada variably as MDC-T acting secretary-general as well as the substantive holder of the post.
“This being done due to the confusion about legitimacy of various national council meetings earlier this year and the fact that he refers to himself as the acting secretary-general in the letter, but has signed the letter off as the secretary-general.
“The content of the letter would, however, assume I still hold office and membership of the MDC-T and as such would like to, for the avoidance of all doubt, tender my resignation from the party and, therefore, from the position of provincial treasurer,” he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said anyone was free to resign from the party, though he was yet to see the letter.
COMMENTS
good riddence
Free to join mBiti.
10 years of his life all for nothing in the end
Any party losing members who have worked hard (and honestly) should look deeply at itself. MDC have lost a good man just when they needed him most AND THEY CANNOT SEE IT. It’s all over.
Let’s get on and rebuild our country without politicos and their useless protocols…..Mr. James can better use his energies away from this rotten thing called POLITICS.
He was the criminal according to the records so in other words he is sayi g the magistrate is a criminal.
He would probably be right, about the magistrate who certainly has not dispensed justice without fear or favour. What is very disturbing is that the MDC is behaving like ZANU PF. Violence, a refusal to allow open challenges to the leadership etc. This is busy destroying all the support that the MDC has from Zimbabweans in the diaspora and so the support that they can get from foreign governments. RIP the idea of a democratic party in Zimbabwe.
What violence. The people who were falsely accused were acquitted and those who actual attacked Mangoma and seen on video have not been arrested. How do you read into such action and you busy talking about violence; where, when and by whom? Have been brainwashed isn’t it?
some people decide enough is enough when they see that things are not going right – they make a decision
Certain people join politics expecting to find things smooth, they quickly leave hoping to come back when things get sorted without them. Such character are not worthy for the struggle to rebuild Zimbabwe because what we want are people who know what to do with brocken things. Even desparate parties like Biti and Makoni have no use for them because their house needs more ordering
65 is the retirement age. Let the man go and rest. Old people’s home, pliz take good care of the former good man
This post shows that the struggle in Zimbabwe is not between Zanu PF and MDC, but between the corrupted way of life and mind-set that have infected our people and a more open honest way or working together as a nation.
It is apparent he belongs to Biti faction. They lost in courts hence the frustration. Leave the party in peace not in pieces please. They wanted to loot party property what a fiasco!!!
my understanding is he reported the 3 breaking and entering, why would the magistrate not convict on that, is it ok to break in to property sometimes?? rest old man and come back and fight another day, soon I hope…
Only the cream of MDC-T will remain.Goodbye Jimmy.
Very sour cream then remains Mr. Chirutanga…..It will mix well with ZANU clotted sour cream. Nice combo…