adminNduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai flies into a storm today when he visits Bulawayo province in what insiders say is a bid to quell infighting and growing divisions over the issue of the selection of the party’s provincial chairperson. The position of chairperson fell vacant when Gorden Moyo resigned from the post citing infighting and failure to co-ordinate.
Four candidates so far are reported to be interested in the post including acting provincial chairperson Dorcas Sibanda, Bulawayo East legislator Thabitha Khumalo, Deputy Bulawayo Mayor Gift Banda and Senator Matson Hlalo.
There has been chaos in the party particularly around Banda’s eligibility to contest the post with members saying he had not served the party long enough to qualify.
Tsvangirai’s visit also comes two weeks after MDC Renewal team leaders came to Bulawayo to address its structures.
Bulawayo provincial organising secretary Albert Mhlanga confirmed Tsvangirai’s visit but denied that he was coming to deal with divisions rocking the party.
“The president will be visiting the province on Saturday at the request of the province. It is a courtesy call where he will address the province on the template ahead of the congress and the way forward,” Mhlanga said.
“It has nothing to do with the issue of the position of chairperson. Right now we are restructuring branches and moving on to the wards. We will only get to the province in August and that is when such matters will arise.”
Mhlanga said Tsvangirai has been on a national tour of provinces addressing them on the way forward.
“If you send people on Saturday, you will find out that the meeting has nothing to do with elections,” he said.
Mhlanga however said if the issue of the position of provincial chairperson would emerge, it may have been raised by some members as it is not part of the agenda.
“I am in charge of elections here so that is my job. I report to the national organising secretary who reports to the national chairman. The president is not involved on the issue of positions,” he said.
However party sources said Tsvangirai was coming to try and quell divisions in the party ahead of its congress.
It was further alleged that the MDC-T leader was coming to pave way for Banda believed to be party deputy president Thokozani Khupe’s ally.
“The issue of chairperson is quite a thorny issue that if not handled would further divide the party. There is a feeling among other aspirants that Tsvangirai could have been influenced to come here and support the candidacy of Banda,” said a party source.
“The problem with this party is that when it comes to stamping authority, the leadership is such a huge disappointment. His visit raises eyebrows because he has been here before so we wonder what is so urgent for him to come here when he has not visited other provinces like Matabeleland North and South.”
Another source said there was no way Tsvangirai would evade the issue of the chairperson’s post during his visit.
“We hear that he will talk about the build up to the congress and the template to choose candidates. The issue of the chairperson will certainly come up because there are manoeuvres to impose Banda despite the fact that he does not qualify,” the source said.
“Tsvangirai sees that the party is slowly losing grip of Bulawayo as its stronghold because of divisions and we suspect Saturday’s meeting is meant to address that,” said another] source.
Online Reporter