Rudo Saungweme
Factionalism in the MDC has reached critical levels, with MDC leader Nelson Chamisa planning to remove MDC Deputy Secretary General Jameson Timba and have Tajamuka leader Promise Mkwananzi, replacing him.
A Source who spoke to Harare Post on condition of anonymity, made the revelation, cementing factional wars that have been rocking the opposition party.
The Source indicated that Chamisa is now aware of his weak support base in the party and has been making frantic efforts to recruiton Government critics and funding them so that he remains in power.
“Chamisa is becoming unpopular in the party. He is deepening factionalism by imposing those who are aligned to him onto top positions and recruiting Government critics. This act of dumping elected party leaders has caused a lot of internal party disgruntlement.
“Right now Chamisa is planning to remove MDC Deputy Secretary General, Jameson Timba and replace him with Tajamuka leader Promise Mkwananzi. Chamisa has known Mkwananzi since 2006 when he was president of the Zimbabwe National Student Union (Zinasu),” said the Source.
Mkwananzi used to be funded by the MDC party during his days at the University of Zimbabwe, where he led students’ protests against Government. Mkwananzi left the MDC in 2014 with Tenda Bidti, the then MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti. He later joined the social movement #Tajamuka/Sesijikile in 2016 where he has been accused of embezzling trust funds.
Chamisa is on record of imposing his acquaintances to top positions, resulting in serious dissension within the party. In a recent showdown, the MDC Vice President Welshman Ncube accused Chamisa of frustrating MDC National Spokesperson Daniel Molokele, prompting Molokele to consider resigning. Ncube indicated that this was intended to eliminate all the Ndebele people from holding top positions. Chamisa`s faction comprises of MDC Secretary General Charlton Hwende.
The MDC leader also invited a lot of criticism from MDC members after appointing Fadzai Mahere as MDC Secretary for Education, during the party’s 5th National elective Congress held in May 2019, despite that she did not belong to any party structures prior to her appointment.
The long serving members of the beleaguered party are also accusing Chamisa of being captured by the G40 cabal. The veteran MDC members say most of the decisions made by Chamisa are influenced by the former Zanu PF members, some of whom have been given influential positions in the party.
