Woes mount for Ncube-led MDC

Bulawayo Bureau
THE Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC formation is on a free-fall with yet another national executive member Mr Edward Mkhosi saying he is quitting in solidarity with other members of the party who have resigned to protest against the nomination of the party’s secretary-general Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga into the National Assembly.
Mr Mkhosi, a former Member of Parliament for Mangwe, has joined other key party members who have since left the party over the imposition of Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga who won the ticket to the National Assembly on proportional representation in Matabeleland South province.

Those who have already left include former Insiza South MP and national executive council member Mr Siyabonga Malandu Ncube, former research and policy director Mr Qhubani Moyo and secretary for international relations Mr Sondon Mugaradziko who resigned a few months after its crushing defeat in the 31 July harmonised elections.

The party’s Bulawayo secretary for the youth Mr Ntando Ndlovu has also resigned.
MDC also recently expelled its Matabeleland South chairman Mr Petros Mukwena and outspoken former Bulawayo deputy mayor Alderman Charles Mpofu for openly criticising the leadership over the appointment of Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who sparked outrage when she landed the post despite being rejected by the party’s structures in Matabeleland South.

Mr Mkhosi, a former Copac co-chairperson, confirmed on Wednesday that he is leaving the party.
“As a key member of the party, we have consulted our structures in Matabeleland South and they made it clear that Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga should be removed from Parliament,” he said.

“Sadly, we have some party leaders who are protecting her and the party has a choice to either let Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga remain in Parliament or else I leave together with other members who are not happy with the development. Our party was founded on democratic principles and the basic rule was flouted when the leadership imposed someone into Parliament against the wishes of the people from the province.”

Party insiders said Mr Malandu Ncube confronted Prof Ncube at the weekend demanding that he fires Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.