Timitia Dziva
Cephas Shava
The
battle for the MDC Masvingo provincial chairperson post between incumbent James
Gumbi and rival Tongai Matutu is turning ugly in Mwenezi district with members of
the two camps engaging in serious mudslinging and turning social media
platforms into war zones.
battle for the MDC Masvingo provincial chairperson post between incumbent James
Gumbi and rival Tongai Matutu is turning ugly in Mwenezi district with members of
the two camps engaging in serious mudslinging and turning social media
platforms into war zones.
The
Gumbi team in the district is fronted by the current district chairperson Timitia
Dziva who is also facing a stiff challenge from his deputy Alfred Sithole
Chihwakwa.
Gumbi team in the district is fronted by the current district chairperson Timitia
Dziva who is also facing a stiff challenge from his deputy Alfred Sithole
Chihwakwa.
Dziva’s
team is reportedly moving around the district discrediting rivals.
team is reportedly moving around the district discrediting rivals.
“Dziva
is engaging in divisive politics that will cost the party if it goes unchecked.
He is moving around telling some members not to accommodate those who once left
the party. He is even arguing that some Alliance partners should not hold any
party post as they do not know the party’s ideology and history,” said an
insider who spoke on condition of anonymity.
is engaging in divisive politics that will cost the party if it goes unchecked.
He is moving around telling some members not to accommodate those who once left
the party. He is even arguing that some Alliance partners should not hold any
party post as they do not know the party’s ideology and history,” said an
insider who spoke on condition of anonymity.
When
contacted for comment, Dziva professed his support for Gumbi but refuted allegations
that he is employing dirty tactics.
contacted for comment, Dziva professed his support for Gumbi but refuted allegations
that he is employing dirty tactics.
“As
the current district chairperson and as is always the norm, I support the
existing office bearers from Gumbi up to President Nelson Chamisa. I am not
discrediting anyone in any way but my opponents are soiling my name by taking
every opportunity to falsely accuse me of dictatorial tendencies,” said Dziva.
the current district chairperson and as is always the norm, I support the
existing office bearers from Gumbi up to President Nelson Chamisa. I am not
discrediting anyone in any way but my opponents are soiling my name by taking
every opportunity to falsely accuse me of dictatorial tendencies,” said Dziva.
Leaked
WhatsApp messages purportedly sent by Dziva to some members in the district,
however, seem to prove the allegations.
WhatsApp messages purportedly sent by Dziva to some members in the district,
however, seem to prove the allegations.
“Murisei
maleader vakakusvikirai here ana Chihwakwa neteam yake yana Mapepa (ZimPF
provincial vice chairperson). Tichengeterei musangano varume paward ipapo. Ivo
vakatumwa kuuputsa. Vamwe vacho ndevakauya muparty zuro havana kana chavanoziva
vanofanira kutodzikama kugara pasi chaiko,” reads part of the message.
maleader vakakusvikirai here ana Chihwakwa neteam yake yana Mapepa (ZimPF
provincial vice chairperson). Tichengeterei musangano varume paward ipapo. Ivo
vakatumwa kuuputsa. Vamwe vacho ndevakauya muparty zuro havana kana chavanoziva
vanofanira kutodzikama kugara pasi chaiko,” reads part of the message.
In
the district’s WhatsApp group, vicious accusations and counter accusations have
become party members’ daily meal. Members take turns to accuse each other of
belonging to the ‘wrong camp’, meaning a faction that is backing party secretary
general Douglas Mwonzora to take over from Chamisa.
the district’s WhatsApp group, vicious accusations and counter accusations have
become party members’ daily meal. Members take turns to accuse each other of
belonging to the ‘wrong camp’, meaning a faction that is backing party secretary
general Douglas Mwonzora to take over from Chamisa.
In
another group, a staunch Gumbi supporter with the name Bhuru goes into
overdrive, relaying malicious audios and text messages lambasting the Matutu
camp.
another group, a staunch Gumbi supporter with the name Bhuru goes into
overdrive, relaying malicious audios and text messages lambasting the Matutu
camp.
“Matutu
and team are sell-outs. I just equate them to people who led to the bombing of
Nyadzonya and Chimoi during the liberation struggle. We just accommodate them
in the party out of sympathy. Gumbi hoyee,” reads part of Bhuru’s text.
and team are sell-outs. I just equate them to people who led to the bombing of
Nyadzonya and Chimoi during the liberation struggle. We just accommodate them
in the party out of sympathy. Gumbi hoyee,” reads part of Bhuru’s text.
In
the same group, members of the Matutu camp ruthlessly attack and insult Bhuru.
the same group, members of the Matutu camp ruthlessly attack and insult Bhuru.
“Matutu
is a hard worker and has proved beyond any reasonable doubt during his tenure
in 2008. Your Gumbi is a disgrace and disservice to the whole province as
evidenced by the party’s performance in the recent elections. As for now, we
are definitely going to elect Gumbi to be our branch chairperson in Zaka
district,” reads one of the messages.
is a hard worker and has proved beyond any reasonable doubt during his tenure
in 2008. Your Gumbi is a disgrace and disservice to the whole province as
evidenced by the party’s performance in the recent elections. As for now, we
are definitely going to elect Gumbi to be our branch chairperson in Zaka
district,” reads one of the messages.
Respected
political analyst, Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya, recently warned that the party risks
disintegrating and falling into irrelevance if its internal democratic
practices are not strengthened.
political analyst, Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya, recently warned that the party risks
disintegrating and falling into irrelevance if its internal democratic
practices are not strengthened.
Writing
on Facebook, Ruhanya said the party’s provincial leadership was only fighting
for positions without reenergising the structures.
on Facebook, Ruhanya said the party’s provincial leadership was only fighting
for positions without reenergising the structures.
“The
MDC will be in huge trouble in 2023 if it does not organise its Masvingo
provincial, district, ward and branch structures. The leadership fight for
power but the structures are in disarray with no leadership at the grassroots.
The provincial leadership are mostly tourists, visitors in Masvingo. Was in the
village and what I saw and heard is pathetic, MDC Masvingo is pathetic and
represents the neuroses of undesirable representatives of opposition politics.
They are arrogant, divisive, pompous, impose their surrogates (sic) and
suicidal. This explains why they got 1
seat out of 26 in 2018 election but they remain defiant like the Bourbon
Monarch,” said Ruhanya, who hails from Zaka.
MDC will be in huge trouble in 2023 if it does not organise its Masvingo
provincial, district, ward and branch structures. The leadership fight for
power but the structures are in disarray with no leadership at the grassroots.
The provincial leadership are mostly tourists, visitors in Masvingo. Was in the
village and what I saw and heard is pathetic, MDC Masvingo is pathetic and
represents the neuroses of undesirable representatives of opposition politics.
They are arrogant, divisive, pompous, impose their surrogates (sic) and
suicidal. This explains why they got 1
seat out of 26 in 2018 election but they remain defiant like the Bourbon
Monarch,” said Ruhanya, who hails from Zaka.
