Political reporter
The MDC Alliance National Chairperson, Tabitha Khumalo has slated that party’s faction code-named Kensington Cabal, accusing it of causing chaos in the party in their bid to commandeer power, The Harare Post can report.
Kensington Cabal reportedly consists of senior party members such as that party’s Secretary General; Charlton Hwende, National Organising secretary; Amos Chibaya, Secretary for Rural Mobilisation; Happymore Chidziva and Deputy Organising secretary; Murisi Zwizwai among others.
Speaking during an interface meeting with the Bulawayo Youth Assembly, Khumalo alleged that Hwende received an undisclosed amount of money from various sources ostensibly for rural mobilisation. She alleged that the Secretary General instead, used the money to advance the agenda of the faction.
“You (youth) must not be hoodwinked by power hungry people into joining their cabal. The so called Kensington Cabal is plotting to usurp power from the people’s president. You are the vanguard of the party who must defend the president to the last man.
“These people have received a lot of money from the diaspora and the Western diplomatic community for rural mobilisation. However, they haven’t done any significant mobilisation. They are using that money to recruit youth to join their cabal. We know that some very senior youth leaders have already been recruited. Watch out, your days are numbered!” fumed Khumalo.
She said the party could not even fund important activities, and that party workers had gone for months without salaries. She said Hwende always complained that the party coffers were dry yet he had enough money to fund their nefarious activities.
The youth leader, Obey Sithole was not spared as he is suspected to be part of the rebellious faction. Khumalo accused him of having received money from the cabal to travel to Bulawayo to spy on the meeting on behalf of the faction.
“Obey, I want you to declare your allegiance to the president in this meeting. If you fail to do so, I will order the youth to chuck you out of this meeting. You will be a persona non grata in Bulawayo,” said Khumalo who struggled to control her emotions.
The youth leader complied and declared his loyalty to Chamisa and advised members not to believe everything they read on social media.
Khumalo added: “I will not rest until I see the back of your provincial chairman (James Sithole). He must be removed from his position; he has ceased to toe the line. He must not be a double-edged knife. We know he is Mwonzora’s protégé. Sithole and his conspirators want to fire Zivira (Hellen). Let me say this categorically, Zivira is not going anywhere.”
Apparently Sithole was also in attendance.
Factionalism within the MDC Alliance has been raging on ever since the court nullified the leadership of Chamisa. A number of veteran members parted ways with the youthful leader and grouped under the leadership of Mwonzora. The internal squabbles continued even after the split, with Chamisa’s once trusted allies rebelling against him. The Kensinton Cabal believes that Chamisa is now side-lining them and trusting the Johnny-come-lately.
