Another youth leader ditches MDC-T

Midlands Correspondent
MDC-T has once again been rocked by a significant defection after the party’s Midlands South provincial youth chairman, Gilbert Shangwa, ditched the party and joined the Tendai Biti-led MDC Renewal Team.MDC-T has been rocked by several high-profile defections since the July 31 harmonised elections where its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, lost dismally to President Mugabe.

Critics in his party have blamed the poor performance by the party to Tsvangirai’s sex scandals and lack of visionary leadership in the party.

Shangwa confirmed that he is part of the renewal team project.

He, however, said he remains the bona fide provincial youth chairperson.

Said Shangwa: “The MDC-T is still intact. The only difference is that there are progressive people who are calling for leadership renewal for the party to move forward and I happen to be one of them. What we are calling for is for the party to be divorced from individuals and to return to its founding principles.

“I am still the constitutionally elected chairman of the provincial youth assembly and I am still carrying out party duties. I hope my fellow provincial youth members will soon see the light and be part of the renewal team for the party to be rejuvenated.”

The party’s provincial youth spokesperson, Cornilia Selipiwe, confirmed Shangwa’s defection.

He said Shangwa’s action resulted in automatic expulsion from the party.

“It is true that Gilbert Shangwa is no longer a member of the MDC-T family after he was expelled from the party for working against the interests of the party. As youths in the province we will not miss his leadership because since his was elected into office he never did anything to champion the agenda of the youths.

“We are now behind Priscilla Mbano as our new chairperson and we will rally behind her so that the party remains stronger as we forge ahead,” he said.

Party members from the province who have crossed the floor to join the renewal team include former Gweru Urban legislator, Rodrick Rutsvara and Mark Moyo who contested against former broadcaster Ezra Sibanda for the right to represent the party in the Vungu constituency during the party’s primary elections ahead of the July 31 polls.