Political Reporter
As the anticipated launch of a new political movement under the leadership of Nelson Chamisa looms on the horizon, tensions are escalating within his inner circle, particularly in Bulawayo Province, where factions are vying for control of the province in a fierce power struggle.
According to a source who spoke to the Harare Post, factions have emerged among Chamisa loyalists in Bulawayo, with one faction led by Tsepiso Mpofu, also known as Helen Zivira, and the other by Matson Hlalo.
The source claimed that Mpofu changed her name from Zivira with the intention of manoeuvring within the intricate dynamics of ethnic politics in Bulawayo.
The source said that these factions are locked in a bitter contest for supremacy, each aiming to assert dominance over the province in anticipation of Chamisa's new political venture.
"The struggle for control of Bulawayo Province has intensified, with the Mpofu and Hlalo led factions engaging in fierce competition. Hlalo's faction, bolstered by financial backing, including prominent figures like Gift Banda, were weaponizing their financial muscle to gain control of the party structures," revealed the source.
Conversely, Mpofu's faction is banking on her alleged close ties to Chamisa to propel her faction.
"Mpofu's faction sees her purported proximity to Chamisa as a strategic advantage, positioning her as a formidable contender for control of the province," the source said.
The same source added that amidst the clash between these two dominant factions, a dark horse has emerged in the form of Gideon Shoko, clandestinely positioning himself as a contender for the role of Bulawayo Provincial Coordinator in Chamisa's forthcoming party.
"In addition to the rivalry between Mpofu and Hlalo, Shoko's emergence adds another layer of complexity to the power dynamics within Chamisa's camp. His clandestine manoeuvring suggests a calculated bid for influence and control in the province,” remarked the source.
In a bid to quell the escalating tensions and secure their own positions within the party hierarchy, Amos Chibaya and Gift Ostallos Siziba have reportedly resorted to brokering deals with various factions, promising influential positions in Chamisa's new party.
“Chibaya and Siziba are capitalizing on the prevailing power-hungry atmosphere in Bulawayo, where individuals are eagerly vying for top positions in Chamisa's upcoming party. By exploiting this desperation, they are engaging in a strategy of extortion, promising influential roles to these ambitious individuals,” said the source.
With rival factions jostling for supremacy and clandestine manoeuvres underway, the battleground of Bulawayo epitomizes the intense struggle for control and influence within Chamisa’s camp.
