MDC Renewal Team in turmoil

via MDC Renewal Team in turmoil – Southern Eye

THE MDC Renewal Team has been thrown into further turmoil amid the suspension of its Matabeleland North chairperson, Sengezo Tshabangu and resignation of Bulawayo chairman, Amen Mpofu, it has emerged.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

Tshabangu was suspended on Wednesday during a provincial executive meeting held in Bulawayo over charges of incompetence and insubordination.

“The district chairpersons were unanimous that Tshabangu had failed as a chairperson by failing among other things to call for meetings. He was also accused of abusing funds and causing divisions,” a party official said.

Lameck Ndlovu, the MDC Renewal Matabeleland North organising secretary confirmed the developments when contacted for comment.

“The acting chairperson is Msazo Mpunzi following the suspension of Tshabangu,” Ndlovu said in a telephone interview.

Tshabangu who was reportedly refusing to hand over party vehicles was unreachable for comment.

In Bulawayo, Mpofu who is the former deputy mayor stepped down from his post and resigned from the party in protest over the June 10 by-election boycott.

Mpofu was elected chairman in February.

“I understand the MDC T when it says that it is boycotting the elections as they have been making noise about the need for reforms.

However, for the MDC Renewal to also boycott citing the same out of the blue does not bode well with me.

“They just decided to boycott the elections without consulting the people. They will leave to regret that decision.

“They should have contested the elections and I am certain that the party would have retained the seats,” Mpofu told Southern Eye in an interview.

He said MDC Renewal members should vote for Zapu candidates in five city constituencies.

The MDC’s are boycotting the upcoming by-elections citing an uneven electoral field favouring Zanu PF.

Mpofu said the boycott pains him ‘because Zanu PF has been presented with an opportunity to invade Bulawayo after failing for the past 15 years.’