Political Reporter
The bloodletting in the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance has reached boiling point following the demotion of former national vice chairperson, Job Sikhala to a card carrying member triggering voices of discontent within that party.
In a surprise reshuffle last week, Chamisa demoted the Zengeza West legislator Sikhala from the position of deputy national chairperson and replaced him with Sesel Zvidzai, a move that irked party loyalists.
A source who spoke to this publication said Chamisa was influenced by his new friend, Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hichilema Hakainde to get rid of all people of questionable loyalty within his party and replace them with his trusted young lieutenants.
“Chamisa was implementing strategies he got from Hichilema to reshuffle his national executive and get rid of all people of questionable loyalty. He was told to surround himself with young and energetic people who share the same vision with him. The demotion of Sikhala was a calculated move as he was a threat to Chamisa because he was taking the limelight away from him. Hichilema told Chamisa to clip Sikhala’s wings and it was done in no time,” said the source.
The same source equated the demotion of Sikhala and the elevation of Zvidzai to selling a German shepherd dog opting for a small African puppy. The source added that Chamisa would soon regret tampering with the national executive as members were going to resist his “senseless reshuffle.”
“He (Chamisa) will soon regret demoting Sikhala. You can’t tamper with the national executive when elections are just around the corner. Sikhala was a product of congress and by demoting him, Chamisa has shown clear disregard for congress resolution and party constitution. We can’t let him continue treating the MDC Alliance as his little tuck shop,” added the source.
The source further said that the new found relationship between Chamisa and Hichilema had proven to be toxic as the former was now valuing advice he gets from Zambia more than that from his national executive members.
“Hichilema has captured Chamisa seriously. Chamisa now can’t pass a resolution before consulting his new advisors from Zambia. The likes of vice presidents Tendai Biti, (Lynette) Karenyi Kore and Welshman Ncube were now place holders as Chamisa is now taking advices from across the Zambezi River,” said the source.
Last week, Chamisa reshuffled his national executive council and appointed the likes of Daniel Molokele as the new deputy treasurer, Gift ‘Ostallos’ Siziba (deputy spokesperson) and Tajamuka leader Promise Mkwananzi (committee member) among other appointments.
