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Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
A WAR of words has erupted between MDC officials Alderman Charles Mpofu and Mr Nhlanhla Dube over party secretary-general Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s election to the National Assembly in Matabeleland South. Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga sparked outrage when she landed the seat under the proportional representation despite being rejected by the party’s structures in Matabeleland South.
Since then disgruntled party members in the province have accused party president Professor Welshman Ncube of failing to address the issue.
The outspoken Ald Mpofu who lost the Nketa seat in the 31 July elections has also thrown his weight behind calls for the ouster of his party’s secretary general accusing her of imposing herself in Matabeleland South.
In an interview yesterday, Ald Mpofu (53), said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga was holding the party at ransom and accused the senior leadership of allowing her to do as she pleases.
He also attacked Mr Dube, the party’s national spokesperson, of denigrating him for airing his views over the issue.
“I am entitled to my opinion and I would not be apologetic about that. I participated in the liberation struggle to fight injustices and I do not subscribe to the imposition of leadership.
“Surely how can you take someone born in Masvingo who stays in Harare and is married in Zvimba to represent people from Matabeleland South on the basis that she is a niece there?” said Ald Mpofu, the former Zanu-PF, Zapu and MDC-T member.
He said as a person who was born in Matabeleland South he had the right to complain about party irregularities in the province.
Ald Mpofu bragged that he was a “seasoned” politician who participated in the liberation struggle and described Mr Dube as a political novice who is not qualified to challenge his opinions.
Mr Dube had said the former Bulawayo Deputy Mayor erred in making public utterances on the issue as he was not the party spokesperson and that he did not follow proper procedure in expressing his views.
“Who is Nhlanhla Dube? He is nothing but an implant in that position and is not warranted to attack me. He has never won an election in his life and was imposed to stand for the Lobengula constituency.
“He is a sportsman and not a politician like me. I attended our last congress and no one nominated him to be the party spokesperson. Nhlanhla got that position on the mercy of the leadership because no one knew him. Why does he want to silence me from saying things that are meant to ensure that our party does not split? said Ald Mpofu.
He said many senior leaders in Matabeleland South such as former legislators, Mr Siyabonga Malandu Ncube, Mr Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Mr Patrick Dube, provincial women’s assembly chair Ms Elizabeth Ndlovu and suspended provincial chair Petros Mukwena openly opposed Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s candidature.
He said he therefore did not understand why Mr Dube decided to single him out.
“If he thinks I am a soft target then he has misfired. I am in politics by calling and I would not appease or seek favours from anyone.
“I love my party and my leader Prof Ncube but if he is not careful this party would not grow. This is exposing him. The party lost leaders like Abednigo Bhebhe and others because of such things,” said Ald Mpofu who also claimed that he won more votes than Prof Ncube in his constituency.
Ald Mpofu said it was sad that progressive forces and developmental agents like him were being silenced yet opportunists who could not do anything for the people were being praised.
Contacted for comment, Mr Dube hit back and described Ald Mpofu as a rebel politician who lacks maturity and understanding of the party procedures.
“The problem is that if Charles disagrees with you he tries to soil you. He thinks he can get away with it,” said Mr Dube.
He said Ald Mpofu has been to many different political parties which fired him.
“He thinks going to the Chronicle to insult me will solve problems, threaten or silence me. Some of us are principled and cannot stoop that low,” said Mr Dube.
He said his party never blocked any member from expressing his or her views on party issues and said Ald Mpofu never raised the issues he was raising through recognised party channels.
Mr Dube said the concerns over Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga were largely hinged on tribal politics adding that the legislator has been advocating for Matabeleland issues and had the right to represent people from the region.
He said the party leaders in the province including Ms Ndlovu signed the nomination papers for Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
MDC suffered a crushing defeat in the 31 July election securing only four seats, two in the Senate and two in the National Assembly under proportional representation.
Online Reporter