Mutambara MDC rocked by massive defections

By Lance Guma
09 June 2009

The entire district executive of the Mutambara MDC in Nkayi is reported to have defected, to join the main wing of the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai. The executive, along with 23 councillors in the area, met over the weekend to consider the suspension of local MP Abednico Bhebhe. Last month it was reported Bhebhe and 4 other MP’s from the faction were suspended on charges of allegedly undermining the party and its leadership. Bhebhe was present at the meeting in Nkayi and gave his side of the story. A decision was then reached by the structures to defy the party and back him.

Newsreel contacted Bhebhe on Tuesday but he refused to comment saying he will not be giving interviews until the party’s disciplinary hearing has been finalized. No date for this hearing has been given yet. Newsreel understands Bhebhe is a very popular figure in his constituency and his suspension has predictably angered the party structures there. Members have vowed to ignore a letter signed by Secretary General Welshman Ncube advising them not to interact with Bhebhe until the suspension has been lifted.

Speaking for the Mutambara MDC, deputy spokesman Renson Gasela said it was incorrect to say 5 MP’s had been suspended and that only 3 of their MP’s had been served letters. He said the chairman of the party’s disciplinary committee, Lyson Mlambo, was handling the matter and would soon announce when the hearings will be held. Gasela queried why the district executives and councillors in Nkayi would defect to the Tsvangirai MDC when the MP they were defending (Bhebhe) is still a member of the Mutambara MDC and had not jumped ship.

With Mutambara MDC Vice President Gibson Sibanda needing a parliamentary seat to retain his ministerial post, there is mounting speculation Bhebhe could be sacrificed to make way for him. But with the constituency structures flexing their muscles and refusing to play ball it is expected to be some fight if the plan is pushed through. Under the unity deal none of the major parties to the agreement can field candidates for by-elections. But should Bhebhe and the other MP’s get sacked they can still run as independents and their popularity or otherwise could determine the outcome.

Last month acrimony in the Mutambara MDC was said to be high after Ncube threatened to quit the party if the officials were not suspended. Party leader Arthur Mutambara, and his deputy Sibanda, were reported as wanting the charges dropped. It was Ncube’s position which was eventually pushed through with support from his deputy, Priscillah Misihairabwi-Mushonga and treasurer-general Fletcher Dulini Ncube.
Party district chairman, Jabulani Ncube is quoted by the Zimbabwe Telegraph website saying, ‘we can’t remain loyal to a leadership which victimizes its members and with that reason in mind the whole constituency and district leadership has crossed the floor to MDC-T led by Prime Minister Tsvangirai.’ Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said it was good news for democracy as they wanted to be united under one MDC. ‘When we formed the MDC it didn’t have surnames, prefixes or suffixes,’ he said.