‘More officials to resign from Ncube’s camp’

via ‘More officials to resign from Ncube’s camp’ – DailyNews Live 26 February 2015 by Mugove Tafirenyika

HARARE – The opposition MDC led by Welshman Ncube is facing collapse with top officials resigning en-masse as cracks continue to widen ahead of a planned merger with the MDC renewal team.

Hardly two weeks after the breakaway opposition party’s secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga resigned under unclear circumstances, Frank Chamunorwa, the MDC deputy national chairperson quit yesterday.

The Daily News has it on good authority that party national chairperson Goodrich Chimbaira and national spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube might also tender their resignations next week.

The duo accuses Ncube of, among other things, usurping the power of the secretary-general and the national chairperson and centralising power in his office.

Chamunorwa told the Daily News yesterday that he had been forced out of the party by MDC president Welshman Ncube because of his alleged links to Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

He confirmed that Chimbaira and Dube were also being accused of working against Ncube.

“Allegations that we are part of a so-called ‘Gang of Four’ that is opposed to him leading our coalition with (Tendai) Biti’s renewal team were constantly levelled against us,” Chamunorwa said.

Chamunorwa added that he had been hurt by the fact that he had supported Ncube when he led the 2005 split from the mainstream MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai.

“I looked back and considered the sacrifices I made. I was beaten by Tsvangirai’s supporters for him and now he is accusing me of sabotaging his ambitions so I decided to step aside as there is no trust any more.”

A party insider privy to the goings on in the beleaguered splinter group narrated how Chimbaira clashed with Ncube recently.

“Chimbaira openly confronted the president on January 5 and pointed 13 occasions to him where he performed his functions.

“He was also reminded of how he unprocedurally and single-handedly overturned the decision of the national disciplinary committee to suspend deputy spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi,” he said.

The Daily News also saw text messages sent to one of the top officials from Ncube registering his displeasure on allegations that the team involved in re-unification talks with Biti’s faction sabotaged him in the process.

“You may want to know that the continued talk of Biti leading the coalition is not being received well with the party’s membership throughout the country. You may also want to know that the supporters are aware that the talk is emanating from some of you in the negotiating team,” reads part of the conversation.

Ncube is also accused of planning to sideline his top officials in favour of his deputy Edwin Mushoriwa and secretary for strategy, planning and implementation, Miriam Mushayi.

He however, could not be reached for comment.