By Christopher Makaza

MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has reportedly expressed displeasure over the manner in which MDC Bulawayo Provincial Assembly Chairperson, James Sithole is administering party activities.

According to a reliable contact within the opposition party, Sithole is being accused of inactive, lack of visibility on the ground and failing to mobilise support which led to the party losing the local authority by election in Cowdry Park to Zanu PF.

The contact revealed that angry Chamisa last week phoned Sithole telling him to shape up or ship out as his laxity and incompetence was costing the opposition party.

The contact also revealed that Chamisa plans to recall Sithole if he fails to repent.

Chamisa reportedly suggested to Sithole some mobilising activities which he could do to improve the party’s visibility. Among the activities are clean-up campaigns, sporting tournaments, rallies and road shows. Chamisa reportedly demanded to see these activities within the next three weeks.

MDC Organising Secretary Amos Chibaya echoed Chamisa’s displeasure saying that Sithole was passive and useless. He said that MDC Harare province was performing far much better than Bulawayo, expressing fear that the party could lose more seats to Zanu PF under the stewardship of Sithole.

Chibaya said former Bulawayo Chairperson, Gift Banda was far much better than Sithole in terms of performance. Banda lost the chairmanship in a congress that was manipulated to elbow out all Douglas Mwonzora’s followers.

Under the stewardship of Sithole, the opposition party has been rocked by factionalism and tribalism which has also affected Bulawayo City Council (BBC) activities.