adminTemba Dube Senior Reporter
MDC-T still in shock following its crushing defeat by Zanu-PF in last week’s harmonised elections has reportedly expelled about 400 members in Bulawayo, accusing them of working with “rebels” to decampaign the party. Six MDC-T members contested the elections against their party’s official candidates as independents in protest against what they termed massive rigging and tribalism during the party’s primary elections.
The six are Mr Felix Magalela Mafa, the former MP for Magwegwe, Mr Samuel Sandla Khumalo (Pelandaba-Mpopoma), Mr Kidwell Mujuru who contested in Luveve, former councillors Mr Prince Dube who contested in Emakhandeni constituency, Mr Phinias Z Ndlovu who contested the Ward 14 seat and Ms Thembeni Khoza who contested in Ward 12.
They all lost to the party’s official candidates.
On Wednesday, the party wrote letters to members suspected to have been working with the rebels advising them that they had been expelled from the party.
The party’s national spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora who lost in the elections, yesterday said he was not aware of the development.
A party official in Bulawayo however insisted that about 400 dismissal letters had been sent out.
“About 400 people have been expelled from the party. I do not think it is a good idea. The party should have engaged these people and explained the dangers of splitting votes in an election so that in future they avoid it. Alienating them is the worst move because they might influence other people to leave the party as well,” said the official.
A party member who was expelled said the development was against the party’s constitution.
“I got the letter on Wednesday afternoon. It does not have the party’s logo. The constitution says no one can be expelled without being taken to a disciplinary hearing.
It shows that the district executives are acting unilaterally once again. They did the same when they imposed candidates for the harmonised elections sidelining those that had won primary elections. It seems they did not learn anything from the disaster of the elections. Individualism has destroyed the party and it continues to do so because of a weak leadership,” said the member.
The letter of expulsion for members in Lobengula, a copy of which is in Chronicle’s possession reads; “Lobengula district executive wishes to inform you that in accordance with the party constitution that you are no longer a member of the MDC-T party due to your illegal conduct during the recent harmonised elections. You were working hand in hand with independent candidates in undermining and decampaigning elected party candidates for the harmonised election,” read the letter which was signed by the district chairperson Mr Japhet Madlela Ncube.
Contacted for comment, one of the party members who contested as an independent, Mr Phinias Ndlovu, said he knew of about 30 members in his Ward who had been expelled.
“The party has really lost it. This is the time for building bridges instead of erecting walls. Expelling members is not the answer. What these people and I did was a protest against imposition of candidates. Democracy is being trampled upon and this is killing the party. I did not get a letter because when I called the provincial chairperson Mr Gorden Moyo to explain, he said it was not necessary as I had automatically expelled myself when I contested as an independent,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He however, insisted he was still an MDC-T member.
Ms Khoza who also contested as an independent, said about 20 people in her ward had been expelled by yesterday morning.
She said the letters were still being received by people perceived to have been working with her.
A comment could not be obtained from the party’s provincial spokesperson Mr Mandlenkosi Sibanda.
The connection to his mobile phone was cut each time it rang.
The provincial chairperson Mr Moyo was not reachable on his mobile phone.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo