Chamisa lays into Biti

Political reporter

The embattled MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has threatened to take disciplinary action against his deputy, Tendai Biti for causing disunity within that party.

Speaking during a meeting with the recalled legislators and councillors, the besieged youthful leader reproved Biti for misleading people on the party’s position on changing party’s name.

“The president unequivocally reprimanded Biti for announcing to the media without consulting him that we are going to change the party name to MDC Chamisa. That was not sincere, but a ploy to cast the president as a dictator who wants to build the party around his name. He plainly rebutted the announcement and reiterated that we will participate in the polls under the MDC Alliance banner even if (Douglas) Mwonzora takes us to ZANU PF courts,” said the former legislator.

The MDC A leader is said to have admitted that the divisions within the party were going to impact negatively on the electoral performance of the party in the 2023 elections. The source said Chamisa threatened to take harsh disciplinary measures against Biti and others who were undermining his authority.

“If Biti believes that lam not leading well, ours is a democratic movement, he has the right to openly challenge me. I know they are having clandestine meetings to scheme against me. If dialogue has failed, we are going to resort to punitive measures if they don’t change their conduct. People like Biti, Tabitha (Khumalo), Job (Sikhala) and (David) Coltart are not taking part in party programmes. Kana vaneta ngavangotaura tivazorodze (they should indicate if they are tired so that we can rest them),” Chamisa is reported to have said.

Chamisa reportedly castigated Coltart whom he said was not mobilising funds for the party. He allegedly said he was very concerned that the party’s erstwhile benefactors were now funding Jacob Ngarivhume who is embarking on programmes that are stealing the limelight from the MDC A.

Chamisa has also checkmated his rivals who had lined up candidates from their camp for by-elections and the 2023 election by suspending primary elections. He said primary elections were divisive, thus the party would engage the community to nominate the best candidate.

The fissures within the MDC Alliance are threatening to tear the party asunder. The Western embassies are also divided on whom to back between Biti and Chamisa with the US embassy preferring Biti, while the UK embassy believes Chamisa should be given another chance.