Political Reporter
The opposition MDC Alliance has delayed the appointment of Bulawayo Province’s interim committee that was set to replace the James Sithole led executive after Bulawayo members threatened to boycott meetings that would be chaired by the new committee.
A source within the MDC Alliance told this publication that the party had shelved plans to dissolve the entire Bulawayo Provincial structures after members complained about the calibre of people who were earmarked to be appointment in the interim committee.
“As it stands, the Provincial structure will remain the same with Sithole as the chairperson. The party decided to delay the appointment of an interim committee after it had emerged that the proposed members had no following. The party is now making some consultations before announcing the way forward regarding the squabbles in Bulawayo,” said the source.
Last week, it was leaked to the media that the MDC Alliance’s Commission of Inquiry led by that party co vice president Lynnette Karenyi Kore, had recommended that the faction-riddled Bulawayo structures be dissolved and replaced by a four member committee led by Kucaca Phulu, Nicola Watson, Dorcas Sibanda and Pastor Obert Manduna.
However, some members were against Phulu and Sibanda whom they consider as sellouts and people who had no party at heart.
“Members had agreed that if the national leaders impose the interim committee on us, we would stop attending meetings because we cannot be led by people of questionable loyalty like Phulu and Sibanda. We can’t have a structure that relegates seasoned members of the party like Swirthern Chiroodza and Helen Zivira to just card carrying members,” added the source.
The source added that there was no need for the national leaders to consider dissolving the entire provincial structure as the only problem was Sithole.
“The only problem in Bulawayo is Sithole who is a known MDC T sympathizer. The leaders should just remove Sithole and not tamper with the whole structure. Tampering with the provincial structure will cause more squabbles and friction within the Province,” said the source.
The MDC Alliance Bulawayo structures has been rocked by some factional battles fueled by that party’s co vice president Welshaman Ncube and national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo who are tussling each other for the control of Bulawayo and other Matebeleland provinces.
