Staff Reporter
The MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has failed to unite Bulawayo’s warring factions and has chosen to rebrand the party and silently discard a faction led by Bulawayo provincial chairperson, James Sithole.
An insider who spoke to this publication said that last year Chamisa gave an ultimatum to MDC Alliance Bulawayo leaders to resolve their differences and unite before end of 2021. However, the ultimatum fell on deaf ears as faction leaders have intensified their factional battles in clear disregard of Chamisa’s directive.
According to the source, failure by Chamisa to unite Bulawayo province has affected that party’s mobilisation programme ahead of the by-elections slated for March 26 this year as there was no unity of purpose within the province.
“Chamisa has failed us. He should have quenched the factional wars in Bulawayo long back but he was silent. It seems Chamisa is planning past the MDC Alliance and he is focused on rebranding and launching a new political outfit instead of resolving the factional wars currently bedevilling the party,” said the source.
According to the same source, Chamisa was fed up with the factional battles in Bulawayo and he was planning to exclude all Bulawayo heavyweights in the party to be launched soon. However, the source said that Chamisa should show his leadership acumen by solving the Bulawayo factional fights or he risks losing support in that province.
“Chamisa risks losing support in Bulawayo. Members now view him as a weak leader who can’t resolve internal issues. He has allowed the likes of Welshman Ncube to dictate issues in Bulawayo. If Chamisa fails to solve the fights in Bulawayo, then he should be dethroned because he is of no help to the party,” added the source.
The source said that the National Standing Committee (NSC) meeting that will be held this coming weekend should address challenges facing Bulawayo province. He added that NSC should have a position on how rival factions in Bulawayo can work together for the good of that party.
MDC Alliance Bulawayo province is sharply divided with some members openly showing support for Douglas Mwonzora led MDC T.