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factionalism threatens to tear MDC-T apart.
A number of MDC-T supporters and some members of the provincial executive have been suspended for attending Cde Mpofu’s meetings.
Last week, MDC-T vice president Thokozani Khupe — who hails from Bubi, Matabeleland North — confirmed the party’s fears of Cde Mpofu’s manoeuvres.
“I am not abandoning Makokoba. I come from Bubi and I cannot just sit and watch while Mpofu is making inroads in our stronghold,’’ she told journalists.
A statement by MDC-T’s information department headed by party spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora also confirmed that most of the party’s supporters were now attending Cde Mpofu’s rallies.
The party, however, tried to console itself by claiming its supporters were attending the meetings for “food and beer”.
MDC-T said its supporters had “adopted a strategy of survival where they attend his (Cde Mpofu) rallies for food and beer.
“The MDC is determined that Matabeleland people cannot be bought through a meal and beer at a rally at the expense of critical developmental projects that have been spearheaded ever since the party went into the inclusive Government,” said the party.
Infighting has widened fissures in MDC-T structures in the province after an investigation team recommended the suspension of all Victoria Falls councillors.
This comes barely two weeks after the suspension of provincial organising secretary Mr Thembinkosi Sibindi and the provincial secretary Ms Angeline Kheswa.
The councillors are facing accusations of corruption, supporting Zanu-PF policies and flirting with Zanu-PF leaders.
MDC-T has also been hit by factionalism in Bulawayo with rival factions aligned to provincial chairperson Mr Gorden Moyo and Mzilikazi Senator Matson Hlalo fighting running battles since Mr Moyo’s election last year.
A number of party supporters have defected to the Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC formation in Bulawayo as a result of the infighting.
However, Mr Mwonzora tried to downplay the defections saying they were stage-managed.
“When politicians give food or any incentives to the people in return of support, it’s vote-buying. Our people are not defecting but there is attempted vote-buying. Most of the time those defections are stage-managed,” said Mr Mwonzora.
Online Reporter