Chihwakwa-Sithole
Cephas Shava
MWENEZI –
The fight between two hostile MDC factions for the control of the district
seems to be far from over, with the both camps still claiming legitimacy after
the party’s national congress held in Gweru recently.
The fight between two hostile MDC factions for the control of the district
seems to be far from over, with the both camps still claiming legitimacy after
the party’s national congress held in Gweru recently.
Prior
to the congress, a team from the national headquarters visited the district and
called a meeting at Neshuro where Alfred Chihwakwa-Sithole’s executive was
recognised.
to the congress, a team from the national headquarters visited the district and
called a meeting at Neshuro where Alfred Chihwakwa-Sithole’s executive was
recognised.
At
the meeting, Chihwakwa-Sithole’s rival Timitia Dziva was allocated the position of
secretary for elections in an attempt to foster unity though he did not turn up
for the gathering.
the meeting, Chihwakwa-Sithole’s rival Timitia Dziva was allocated the position of
secretary for elections in an attempt to foster unity though he did not turn up
for the gathering.
At
the congress, however, the Chihwakwa-Sithole’s executive was shocked when they
were not allowed to vote while Dziva, who is Masvingo provincial chairperson James
Gumbi’s blue-eyed boy, and his team were allowed to cast votes in their stead.
the congress, however, the Chihwakwa-Sithole’s executive was shocked when they
were not allowed to vote while Dziva, who is Masvingo provincial chairperson James
Gumbi’s blue-eyed boy, and his team were allowed to cast votes in their stead.
When
contacted for comment, Chihwakwa-Sithole confirmed the problems but was quick
to say he was confident they will soon be solved.
contacted for comment, Chihwakwa-Sithole confirmed the problems but was quick
to say he was confident they will soon be solved.
“I
am the district chairperson but when we went to Gweru for the congress, it was
Dziva’s team that voted on behalf of the district at the expense of my team. We
raised the issue there at the congress and I have just briefed the provincial
leadership. They have pledged to resolve the issue,” said Chihwakwa-Sithole.
am the district chairperson but when we went to Gweru for the congress, it was
Dziva’s team that voted on behalf of the district at the expense of my team. We
raised the issue there at the congress and I have just briefed the provincial
leadership. They have pledged to resolve the issue,” said Chihwakwa-Sithole.
Repeated
efforts to get Dziva’s side of the story were fruitless as his mobile phone was
not reachable.
efforts to get Dziva’s side of the story were fruitless as his mobile phone was
not reachable.
Prior
to the congress and soon after the national team visited the district to try
and resolve the dispute, Dziva refused to entertain questions from TellZim
News.
to the congress and soon after the national team visited the district to try
and resolve the dispute, Dziva refused to entertain questions from TellZim
News.
Several
senior MDC members said if the dispute in Mwenezi is allowed to continue, the
party was headed for yet another poor performance in the next election.
senior MDC members said if the dispute in Mwenezi is allowed to continue, the
party was headed for yet another poor performance in the next election.
The
party won only one council seat in the district during the 2018 harmonised
elections.
party won only one council seat in the district during the 2018 harmonised
elections.
