Staff Reporter
In a bid to consolidate his grip on the reins of power within the MDC Alliance, Nelson Chamisa has directed all party members to swear on affidavits their loyalty to him and that they will not support another political party ahead of the 2023 elections.
A source who confided in this publication said that last week, MDC Alliance members in Bulawayo, particularly the legislators and councillors, were forced to declare their allegiance to Chamisa and they were threatened with expulsion if they failed to do so.
“Last week we received a directive that all Bulawayo members, starting with legislators, should declare their loyalty to Chamisa. Members were told that they should swear on affidavits that they will not support another presidential candidate in 2023 other than Chamisa. Those who might have failed to declare their allegiances by the 15th of this month were threatened with expulsion and other unspecified actions,” said the source.
The source added that there was belief and suspicions that most of the MDC Alliance Bulawayo members were sympathetic to Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC T, hence the MDC Alliance instituted a vetting process to weed out all suspected Mwonzora sympathisers.
“The party recently launched a vetting exercise for all its members, starting with those in local government and Parliament. This follows the recalling of scores of legislators from Parliament by the MDC T. Some legislators and councillors who were not recalled have not openly made clear their allegiance for fear of losing their perks and posts. The vetting exercise will therefore weed out all those who are sitting on the fence,” said the source.
According to the same source, the MDC Alliance secretary general, Charlton Hwende, directed that the new membership cards will only be issued to members who would have passed the vetting exercise and declared their loyalty to Chamisa. The source added that the MDC Alliance leadership told members that even if they declare their allegiance to Chamisa, if their actions were found inconsistent with their behaviour and conduct, they will still be excommunicated or demoted.
However, a Bulawayo-based MDC Alliance legislator said that they freely joined the MDC Alliance in the past and they should not be forced to declare their allegiance to anyone other than the party.
Since last year, the MDC Alliance has suffered massive defections, losing some of its big wigs to the rival MDC-T and the ruling ZANU PF party.
