Battle lines are drawn between MDC Alliance co-vice president Welshman Ncube and a group of officials from his former MDC who have adamantly dismissed their recent suspension as a nullity.
Ncube’s MDC in 2018 merged with the MDC-T and Tendai Biti’s PDP in a coalition arrangement originally spearheaded by the now late Morgan Tsvangirai, to form what is now known as MDC Alliance.
MDC Green, as it is commonly referred to, sprang a surprise this past week when it reconvened to hand suspensions against four party officials accused of links with the rival MDC-T faction led by Douglas Mwonzora.
The officials are Christopher Monera, Shupikai Mandaza, Munhango Musevenzo and Gift Karupati.
However, the ‘suspended’ officials have dug in, insisting it is in fact Ncube, his deputy Edwin Mushoriwa and a handful party top officials who expelled themselves from the party by “defecting” to the now Nelson Chamisa led opposition.
Said Mandaza, who has declared himself as MDC interim leader, “Categorically and unequivocally, I put it on record that the so-called suspension from MDC (green) by one Farauh Jele, purporting to represent the MDC Disciplinary Committee is thus of no force or effect.
“Jele is not a member of the MDC (green), he is just but a defector from it so he has no business in the affairs of our party.
“Our former President Prof. Welshman Ncube, DP Edwin Mushoriwa, 4 other senior members and all the others who joined the MDCT Party self-expelled themselves from their former party, MDC (green), by operation of the MDC Constitution.”
The MDC officials argue that Ncube led the MDC into the MDC Alliance coalition without National Council approval.
They also argue the MDC Alliance remained a loose coalition whose members could revert to their original formations as demonstrated by other political parties that subscribed to the idea prior to the 2018 elections.
Mandaza continued, “As MDC (green) and in accordance with our constitution, are putting in place measures to effect leadership renewal to replace all those who ditched the party.
“…The available remaining MDC (green) leadership have the mandate to defend and take the party forward including engaging in all Alliance business.
“Finally and without prevarication I re-state that, all those former MDC (green) members who have defected from the party and have taken up positions were Prof W.Ncube is Deputy President HAVE AUTOMATICALLY EXPELLED THEMSELVES FROM MDC (green) BY OPERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND SHOULD NOT MASQUARADE AS MDC MEMBERS.”
-Zimstar News