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Three Gweru MDC-T councillors, including Gweru Mayor, Clr Tedious Chimombe, were dismissed while three others were suspended from the party last year over allegations of corruption.
Disgruntled party supporters, who spoke to Chronicle, said there was confusion in the MDC-T Gweru district, as both the dismissed and suspended councillors were busy campaigning as MDC-T candidates ahead of the primary elections.
“We are confused as to what is going on within the party. The party released a list of councillors, who were fired and others suspended over corruption, but to our surprise, all these councillors are busy campaigning using the MDC-T name, as they seek to retain their seats,” said one party supporter.
The supporters said they were prepared to vote for Zanu-PF candidates if the MDC-T allows those councillors who were implicated in corruption, to contest in the forthcoming elections.
“What we need to know is whether these people are just trying their luck or have been given the go-ahead by the party. If the party has allowed them to contest, then we will vote for Zanu-PF because we cannot vote for people that we know to be corrupt,” said another supporter.
The party supporters said even those members who had crossed over to the MDC-99 were also campaigning under the MDC-T banner.
“There are some who had joined MDC-99, who are also in the race campaigning using the MDC-T tag and everyone is confused. MDC-T will not win any seat in Gweru if the situation remains like this,” said another supporter.
MDC-T Midlands South provincial spokesperson, Mr James Tsuro, confirmed the development.
Mr Tsuro, who is also being challenged in his ward (Mkoba Ward 14) by Mr Sailus Mutendeudzwa, said councillors, who were suspended or fired from the party, were not going to be allowed to stand under the party name. Mr Mutendeudzwa once crossed over to the MDC-99 before rejoining MDC-T party recently.
“Those councillors (fired and suspended) are wasting their time. It is true that they are going around campaigning. We have seen some of them addressing gatherings, but the party’s constitution is very clear on such people. They will never be given the green light to contest under an MDC-T ticket. Party supporters should not be fooled by such people,” he said.
Online Reporter