Political Reporter
As factional battles in the MDC Alliance continue unabated, that party’s Bulawayo Provincial chairperson, James Sithole, was told last week that he should stop disguising himself, as the provincial leader since he was under probe for allegations of hobnobbing with the rival MDC T.
Information in possession of this publication showed that Sithole conveyed a message to MDC Alliance Bulawayo leaders WhatsApp group telling them that he had postponed the meeting that was scheduled for 12 July, 2021 due to COVID-19 regulations. However, his message opened a Pandora box as provincial youth assembly leader, Tinashe Kambarami, told Sithole that he should stop his chairmanship’s duties until he was cleared by that party’s national leadership.
“Please note that we are supposed to hold our meeting for month of July today (yesterday) but could not because of the need to comply with COVID-19 regulations in view of the ever rising number of confirmed cases. However, we shall be advising you of another suitable date for the meeting on a safe platform,” reads Sithole’s message to provincial members.
Kambarami responded to Sithole telling him that he should allow the deputy chairperson, Félix Mhaka, to assume the chairmanship duties to avoid unnecessary bickering.
“With all due respect, please allow the vice chairperson to do any correspondence regarding the office of the chairman until your issues are finalized just to avoid unnecessary bickering,” responded Kambarami to Sithole.
The same sentiments were echoed by the provincial spokesperson Swirthern Chiroodza who reminded Sithole that his chairmanship was currently being disputed, hence he should allow his deputy to act on his behalf.
“The position (of chairmanship) is currently disputed and will not be held by force. Please stop acting as the chairperson as you are aware that you are no longer wanted by the people you purport to lead,” Chiroodza told Sithole.
A source who confided in this publication said Sithole was forced to postpone the meeting after getting information that Kambarami, Chiroodza and Helen Zivira had mobilized other provincial members not to attend the meeting that was to be chaired by him. To save himself from humiliation, Sithole then decided to postpone the meeting citing COVID-19 restrictions as the only reason for the postponement of the meeting.
The MDC Alliance is currently embroiled in factional battles that are threatening to tear down the opposition party. The factionalism in that party is largely manifesting in Bulawayo where members are divided into two distinct factions purportedly led by that party’s co vice president Welshaman Ncube and national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo.
