UNDERFIRE MDC secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga yesterday dismissed reports that her party was facing imminent collapse following the recent mass exodus of senior party officials.
REPORT BY POLITICAL EDITOR
Several top officials have resigned their posts and left the MDC in protest against alleged mismanagement by Misihairabwi-Mushonga and party leader Welshman Ncube.
In particular, the officials mostly from Matabeleland are bitter over alleged imposition of Misihairabwi-Mushonga as the party’s proportional representative for Matabeleland South province.
“I cannot speak for people who are resigning. They can speak for themselves. However, as for the alleged collapse of MDC, all I can say is that the obituary of this party has been written since 2005 (when they split with MDC-T), Misihairabwi-Mushonga said.
“I would not be in it if it had no future, why would I be sitting in a graveyard?”
On what the party was doing to reassure its supporters who may be confused by the developments, the MDC secretary-general said no such action was necessary.
“Our genuine members do not need any reassurance. They are on the ground, working for the party.”
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Senior party members have accused Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Ncube of running the MDC like their personal property.
Within the past week, three top MDC members — Information and Communication, Science and Technology secretary Peter Mukuchamano, international Relations secretary Sondon Stalin Mugaradziko and former Insiza MP Malandu Ncube — threw their resignation letters.
On Tuesday, former MDC Copac co-chairperson Edward Mkhosi told our sister paper, Southern Eye, that he had given the party an ultimatum to recall Misihairabwi-Mushonga from the national assembly where she qualified to represent Matabeleland South courtesy of proportional representation for seats reserved for women.
“What is true is that I have told the party that if they do not remove Misihairabwi-Mushonga from the National Assembly, we will party ways,” Mukhosi said, arguing that the secretary-general, a former MP for Glen Norah in Harare should cede the seat to a woman from that region.
This came amid reports that the MDC had closed its offices in Manicaland, Midlands North, Lupane and Chinhoyi due to alleged financial challenges.
