By Claver Nyuki
MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has fired MDC Chegutu mayor, Henry Muchatibaya over a litany of charges ranging from refusal to relinquish the mayoral post as directed by that party’s president, fermenting anti-Chamisa campaign in the drum up to that party’s elective congress held in Gweru and criticizing that party leadership ahead of the planned August 16 demonstrations.
The decision to relieve Muchatibaya of his position was relayed to party members during that party’s Chegutu West District Assembly meeting by its Chairperson, Shephered Makova on Sunday.
Makova said, “The national leadership through a letter signed by the Secretary for Local Government, Engineer Elias Mudzuri on 22 August 2019, resolved to expel Muchatibaya for refusing to relinquish the post of Chegutu mayor as directed by the people’s president (Chamisa).
“He also inflamed factionalism in the province by advancing an anti-President campaign ahead of our elective congress in Gweru,” He said.
On the August 16 protests, Muchatibaya is believed to have been quoted by the State media saying, “MDC-Alliance is now being run by selfish and power-hungry people who are not working for the people, but for positions. These people have their selfish interests and they are using people to push their selfish agendas.
“These Friday demonstrations that are being preached by MDC-Alliance leadership are tools being used to push for positions. The party is being run as a project and totally different from when we joined. There are people who still do not see that they are being used by this leadership.”
Makova hinted at a by-election to replace Muchatibaya and also declared that the decision to remove him was constitutional and that Engineer Mudzuri had already written to the Local Government Minister July Moyo advising him of the party’s decision.
However, an analyst who spoke to the Harare Post believes that it is factional politics at play.
Tendai Kamunzara claims that Muchatibaya supported Douglas Mwonzora’s presidential bid during the drum up to the elective congress and this is just a move by Chamisa to consolidate his stranglehold on power in the provinces.
