by Political reporter
Troubled MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has rebuked his lieutenants for hobnobbing with some expelled ZANU PF members, threatening that he will not hesitate to fire such people.
Chamisa said this, while addressing party members during the National Standing Committee meeting held in Harare recently. He cited the case of the party's Vice Chairperson, Job Sikhala who was recently arrested, while hibernating at the house of Sarah Mahoka, a former ZANU PF member.
He said he was different from the late MDC-T leader, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, whom he said was patient with people highlighting that he will sack people, who foment factionalism and undermine his authority.
The troubled opposition leader reportedly attacked Sikhala for posting video clips on social media, mobilising people for the flopped 31 July demonstrations without the party's approval.
He said he never supported the 31 July demonstration, because he knew it was going to be an embarrassment as people were not ready for it.
He strongly warned those working for his downfall saying they should wait for the 2024 congress, if they wanted his position.
Chamisa went on to attack the party’s Organising Secretary, Amos Chibaya, MDC-Alliance Secretary for Rural Mobilisation and Strategy, Happymore Chidziva and MDC-Alliance Deputy Secretary for Presidential Affairs, Murisi Zvizvai for allegedly holding Government of National Unity (GNU) talks with some unnamed ZANU PF officials. He said he came to know this through his intelligence sources.
The Alliance leader urged Chibaya to organise a broad-based alliance involving Churches and the Civic Society Organisations (CSO).
He said corruption in the local authorities was affecting the party's image ahead of the 2023 harmonised election, citing the arrest of Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba and several opposition councillors on corruption allegations.
He bemoaned lack of positive media coverage by the Daily News, which he accused of deserting the struggle. He said only the international media organisations were giving them better coverage.
He revealed that the MDC-Alliance secured offices in Mandara in addition to the ones they are using at Club Chambers in Harare.
During the meeting, members reportedly debated on whether to continue approaching the courts after losing several cases. On the issue, Chamisa and his Deputy, Tendai Biti and ward 17 Councillor, Jacob Mafume supported the idea of pursuing matters at the courts arguing that there was need to continue bombarding the courts with cases, with a view to exposing the alleged captured Judiciary.
Chibaya, Hwende and Chidziva argued that the court route was now costing the party.
