Sibanda to take over from Moyo?

via Sibanda to take over from Moyo? | The Financial Gazette – Zimbabwe News. 19 June 2014 by Ray Ndlovu

DORCAS Sibanda, the acting Bulawayo chairperson of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) led by Morgan Tsvangirai, is likely to take over from Gorden Moyo, who resigned from the post. Moyo suddenly resigned as chairperson of Bulawayo province, citing differences over the direction the MDC-T had taken. Sibanda had been deputising Moyo since the elective congress held in 2011, which elevated the latter to the top job in one of the MDC-T’s strongholds.

In her favour, Sibanda enjoys the backing of Thokozani Khupe, the MDC-T’s vice-president. But she is unlikely to have it easy though. The Veterans Association — a wing of the MDC-T’s founding members — resolved on Sunday “to put forward one of their own” in the running for the vacant post, a clear sign that Sibanda does not have the overall endorsement from party members in the province.

Dark horses also seen as likely to resist Sibanda’s elevation include Matson Hlalo, the Mzilikazi Senator who lost out to Moyo under heavily contested circumstances in 2011.
Moyo garnered 183 votes against Hlalo’s 172 votes, in a vote marred by violence. Sibanda, confirmed this week that she will throw her hat into the ring for the vacant chairperson post. She, however, said she was unfazed by the opponents who lurked in the shadows.

“People have a right to choose their own candidate and, as a woman, I will stand and be a representative of other women in the province. As women we have never failed and my performance in the chairperson post is an indication that women can also hold influential positions, are the best organisers, managers and are administration builders. I have already been the deputy chairperson in Bulawayo for long and I would have let down my fellow women supporters by not standing for the position,” said Sibanda.

She said the filling of Moyo’s position would follow deliberations by the party’s highest decision-making body, the MDC-T’s national council. Moyo was a member of the national council. “His resignation was also addressed to the national council…so the green-light for the filling in of that position will come from the national structures. It cannot be determined at a provincial level,” said Sibanda.

“Moyo’s resignation has not stopped anything at the moment in the MDC-T in Bulawayo from taking place. I have been chairing since congress time and time again and there is nothing that can stop me from taking up the position on a substantive basis.”

While the MDC-T leadership has downplayed the impact of Moyo’s departure on the party’s fortunes, his resignation has already sparked internecine infighting, as different interest groups angle for the vacant position.