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Ms Khumalo’s ouster comes at a time when the party is battling to mend its tattered image in Bulawayo amid huge defections by its supporters to the Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC.
Party insiders who preferred anonymity said Ms Khumalo who is the MP for Bulawayo East was a victim of a bitter infighting that is threatening to tear the MDC-T apart.
Her post has been taken by Mr Joel Gabbuza Gabuza, the MP for Binga South.
The insiders also said Ms Khumalo had lost favour with the party leadership owing to her infamous calls for the legalisation of prostitution in the country.
“The motive for her ouster is obvious. Ms Khumalo could not have remained in that post after her bold challenge to Ms Thokozani Khupe in last year’s congress,” said the insider.
“This is a symptom of an internal struggle that has been going on in the party. The party also felt she was tarnishing its image after her controversial calls for legalising prostitution. Her utterances are not in tandem with the ‘dignity’ of the party and its policies.”
Ms Khumalo declined comment on the issue.
“I will not comment on that. You can get a comment from Joel Gabuza,” she said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora’s mobile phone repeatedly rang unanswered.
Mr Nelson Chamisa, the national organising secretary also declined to comment and referred all questions to Mr Mwonzora.
“Speak to Mr Mwonzora and when you fail to get him let me know,” he said.
When he was called again he said: “I am too tied up my brother I will call you back.”
Mr Gabuza’s mobile phone also rang unanswered.
The ugly developments within the party have induced fear in its leaders and supporters ahead of the imminent elections scheduled for sometime this year or early next year.
Although the party leadership has been denying that its members had defected, Mr Tsvangirai in his recent visit admitted that the party was in turmoil.
Online Reporter