THE MDC-T has appointed Local Government deputy minister Sesel Zvidzai as its caretaker chairperson for Mashonaland West province following the resignation of acting chairperson Chitungwiza Senator James Makore on health grounds.
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Makore was appointed acting provincial chairperson in March following the suspension of Japhet Karemba on allegations of financial imprudence and mismanagement of party affairs.
Party provincial spokesperson Biggie Haurobi confirmed the development yesterday.
“Indeed, I can confirm that Local Government deputy minister Sesel Zvidzai has been assigned to be caretaker chairperson of the province to allow disciplinary hearings for Karemba. Senator Makore gave his reasons to be relieved citing his advanced age, among others,” Haurobi said.
Haurobi said the province’s representative to the national executive council Charlton Hwende would deputise Zvidzai.
But sources within the party said the appointment of Zvidzai — also MDC-T national secretary for elections who hails from Midlands South province — might spark disharmony in an already polarised province grappling with factionalism.
The suspended Karemba had come under intense criticism from party supporters who accused him of “selling-out” after he reportedly admitted his party was responsible for the violent clashes that pitted MDC-T and Zanu PF supporters at Murombedzi business centre in Zvimba district last year.
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In 2011, 23 of the 24-member provincial executive council, save for his wife who also sits in the body, passed a vote of no confidence in Karemba’s leadership, but he was saved by the national leadership which warned of dire consequences on the MDC-T if he was ousted.
Karemba’s links to Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman John Mafa have also been questioned.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back for Karemba was his alleged failure to account for money meant for mobilisation of supporters while poor attendances at recent party events had riled the leadership which called for his removal.
Prior to his suspension, Karemba had reportedly been warned by national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa who challenged him to prove his leadership qualities or face the exit.
