adminby Mr Cephas Chiduku.
An interim committee chaired by Mr David Pasipanodya has declared itself the new branch as power struggles to control MDC structures and possibly replace the troubled Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Australia, Jacqueline Zwambila gather momentum. A group comprising Mr Pasipanodya, Mr Fred Nyamhunga, Mr Albert Mukando and Mr Rambai Majuru held a meeting at which it was resolved to dissolve the old executive.
On Friday last week, Mr Chiduku wrote to Mr Pasipanodya expressing his displeasure over how the new interim executive had imposed itself as the new leadership for the MDC-T in Sydney.
He also complained about the new executive for introducing itself to one Mr Peter Murphy, the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Information Centre.
Mr Murphy links the MDC-T to its financiers in Australia, including facilitating funding of the party by the Australian government.
In the email sent to Mr Pasipanodya and copied to all other members of the Sydney branch executive, Mr Chiduku indicated that the group that dissolved his committee “had no quorum” since the branch executive was “not fully represented”.
He also said the new leadership was “selected and not elected”.
The minutes sent to Mr Chiduku by Mr Pasipanodya described the new committee as “MDC1” and Mr Chiduku noted that this description showed “the extent to which some of our members can go with their ambitions”.
The undated minutes from a meeting that was held in Sydney’s Auburn suburb outlined a number of reasons why Mr Pasipanodya and his colleagues decided to take over from the Chiduku led executive.
The Herald has in its possession a copy of the minutes. Some of the reasons included “non attendance, failure to convene meetings regularly, follow ups on very important issues, feedback, lack of meaningful activity, missed opportunities, lack of accountability in as far as leadership is concerned”.
It is, however, understood that Mr Pasipanodya and Mr Mukando have ambitions to replace Ambassador Zwambila. Speculation is rife in the MDC-T structures in Australia that the party leadership in Harare might recall Ms Zwambila after a series of scandalous reports over her conduct both in and outside office.
In November last year The Herald reported that Ms Zwambila had allegedly stripped to her undergarments in front of three embassy officials during a heated argument over an earlier story that The Herald had carried out.
More recently many media units have reported allegations that Ms Zwambila unsuccessfully attempted to sexually lure her butler in the middle of the night, and that she abused the same butler by making him clean up used condoms from the bedroom of the ambassador’s son.
It is also alleged that the son, Takunda was caught by police in Canberra driving the ambassador’s official car without a driver’s licence and under the influence of alcohol.
It is these latest reports that have fuelled speculation that the ambassador might lose her job, creating room for aspirants based in Australia, including some residing in Adelaide, Perth, and even in far north Darwin.
The appointment of Ambassador Zwambila was not received as good news in the MDC-T structures in the Sydney Branch as they had hoped that former branch chairman, Mr Charles Matope would be appointed.
It is, however, understood that Mr Pasipanodya’s executive has reportedly secured support and sympathy from Ambassador Zwambila by badmouthing Chiduku and some members of his executive.
Efforts to get a comment from the new executive led by Mr Pasipanodya were fruitless last night.
MDC-T national organising secretary, Mr Nelson Chamisa recently indicated that he would dissolve all foreign-based party structures.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Mr Chamisa said: “I have a problem with The Herald getting more involved with the intestines and nuts and bolts of the MDC-T politics more than the Harvest House.
“In any case in the MDC-T, the harvest is symbolic of the harvest of the good news, glad tidings and happy communion.”
Online Reporter