by Bevan Musoko

In a development that all but confirms MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa as a despot, impeccable sources reveal that the MDC Alliance has fined six (6) Bulawayo City Councillors $300 each for exercising their democratic rights to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo, against the personal choices of Chamisa.

Six Councillors, Norman Hlabani (ward 6), Monica Lubimbi (ward 29), Lilian Mlilo (ward 12), Joyce Ndlovu (ward 2), Ronias Mudhara (ward 8) and Tinashe Kambarami (ward 3) were hauled before a disciplinary committee that was chaired by the MDC Alliance Secretary for Local Government, Murisi Zwizwai at the party’ headquarters in Harare on Friday.

The Councillors argued that they had exercised their democratic rights in choosing the Mayor and his deputy. They also argued that their choice of Ward 23 Councillor, Solomon Mguni as Mayor and Kambarami, as Deputy Mayor, was aimed at striking a tribal balance between Ndebele and Shona Councillors.

The disciplinary committee did not buy their arguments resulting in the imposition of the $300 fines, which are supposed to be deposited into Chamisa’s personal bank account by end of October 2018. Failure to do so would attract stiffer penalties, including possible expulsion from the party.

One of the Councillors disclosed that Chamisa had demonstrated that he was a dictator as he attempted to impose his allies into the key positions, possibly for personal benefit. She added that Chamisa could be imposing his allies in preparation for the party’s 2019 Congress where he is likely to face stiff challenge from MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora.

Chamisa has raised the ire of various Councillors in various towns and cities that were won by the Alliance for imposing his political allies at the expense of competent Councillors. He similarly imposed Mayors in Victoria Falls, Masvingo and Chinhoyi and Chegutu.