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Temba Dube Senior Reporter
SUPPORTERS of MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube have threatened to desert the party over allegations of imposing secretary-general, Mrs Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga in Umzingwane constituency. Disgruntled officials in Matabeleland South yesterday alleged that there was a big conspiracy behind Mrs Misihairambwi-Mushonga’s imposition in the list of women’s quota under proportional representation in the province.
“The district chairperson, Ms Sibekithemba Njani joined the party in 2011. She was at the forefront of mobilising people to reject Priscilla saying she was not from the constituency. Three weeks ago she even threatened to resign from the party over the issue. However, she has radically changed her stance after she was bribed by being included in the women’s quota,” said an official.
Another official said: “Sibekithemba is now a changed person. She is urging people to accept Priscilla saying this was in line with the democratic principles of the party.
“We do not buy her change of heart because we now know she is an opportunist.”
Officials said there were people who had been loyal to the party, since the split in 2005, who deserved to be included in the quota ahead of Ms Njani.
“This thing is going to split the party. We do not want Priscilla and Sibekithemba here. If they are confirmed in the women’s quota, we will leave the party,” said an official.
Party members said the scenario was likely to cause dissatisfaction in the rest of the province as Umzingwane district had already grabbed two of the six slots for women in the province.
“Priscilla and Sibekithemba have been fast tracked into the women’s quota. There is now disproportional representation for the rest of the province. It is such things that made us part ways with Tsvangirai. It is disappointing that it is happening in our party,” said another official.
Mrs Misihairambwi-Mushonga declined to comment on the issue.
“I have no comment,” said Mrs Misihairambwi-Mushonga.
However, the party’s member of the national executive, Mr Ngqabutho Dube said he held a short meeting with 11 MDC council candidates and they had issued a statement on the matter.
In the statement, which was purportedly signed by the councillors, Mr Dube said the councillors pledged their support for Mrs Misihairambwi-Mushonga and himself as the party’s candidate for the National Assembly.
“As the people who nominated her, we urge those who are against the candidature of Misihairambwi-Mushonga, to engage the party through its structures and not to use the Press,” read part of the statement, which was dictated by Mr Dube.
On Tuesday angry officials told Chronicle that they were against Mrs Misihairambwi-Mushonga’s candidature because she did not originate from the province.
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