The wrangle over control of the MDC took a new twist two weeks ago after newly-elected party leader Welshman Ncube described former party president Arthur Mutambara as a “shameless liar” following the latter’s claims that he did not recognise the congress that ousted him from office.
Ncube made the stinging attacks in his supporting affidavit filed at the High Court where the party is seeking an order barring Mutambara from acting as the party’s principal in the coalition government.
The MDC and party secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi–Mushonga are the applicants and Mutambara is the respondent in the application filed in February.
The party wants Ncube to take over from Mutambara who was defeated at the party’s congress in January.
However, Mutambara opposed the application arguing that he did not recognise the congress that removed him from power and was still the party president.
On March 18, the MDC filed another affidavit where Ncube claimed: “I must say that I am horrified and saddened by the brazen lies respondent (Mutambara) has told in his opposing affidavit. It is a great embarrassment that a person holding such high office in the inclusive government of the Republic of Zimbabwe can lie so shamelessly,” said Ncube.
Ncube said he personally spoke to Mutambara by phone on January 23 and convinced him to accept the party’s new leadership structure.
