Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara might be left with no political party to lead by the time elections come next year given the massive defections from his crisis ridden MDC faction. After his party lost 27 councillors from Nkayi South and Nkayi North early this month and 16 councillors from Lupane East another 9 councillors from Kusile Rural District in Matebeleland North province defected to join the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
In a letter addressed to the MDC Matebeleland South provincial leadership on Friday 25 June 2010 the councilors said their actions were based on free will and there was no undue influence.
“Believing in our individual freedoms of association and political affiliation, having familiarized with relevant sections of the Rural District Act and acting on free will and without any undue influence, on the 21st of April we resolved to defect from Mutambara’s party to the MDC that is led by (President) Morgan Tsvangirai. We fully pledge to further the interests, policies and uphold principles of the MDC’s Constitution,” read part of the letter, which was signed by the 9 councillors.
The nine councillors are; Albert Mkwananzi Ward 1, Xolani Mhlophe Ward 2, Nehru Mpofu Ward 5, Doorman Moyo Ward 8, Sibangilizwe Ncube Ward 9, Sabelo Liberty Nyoni Ward 13, Sthabile Moyo Ward 14, Clara Mkandla Ward 27 and Zett Ncube Ward 16.
Early in June this year Mutambara was dealt a huge blow when 27 councillors in Nkayi South and North defected to join the MDC party. In a letter dated 10 June 2010 and addressed to the party’s secretary general, Professor Welshman Ncube the councilors said they had joined MDC-T.
“We the undersigned Nkayi RDC councilors who were voted under your party hereby advice you that we resigned from your party MDC-M. We are pleased to advice you that we have joined MDC-T.”
“For the avoidance of doubt we would like to inform you that our reason for crossing the floor was directed by the electorate who voted us into office on 29-03-08,” read party of the letter.
The letter which is also copied to Mutambara and the party’s national chairperson further says “Please don’t bother yourselves anymore to contact us .The chapter is closed. It was good doing politics with you.”
The letter which was dropped at the party’s regional offices by the ward 21 councillor Sicelo Mpofu on a Friday also had national identity numbers and signatures of the councilors who had deserted the party.
Four weeks ago 16 councillors from Lupane East, sympathetic to the sacked former MP for the area Njabuliso Mguni, also resigned from the party accusing the party’s leadership of dictatorship and dining and wining with Zanu (PF). The Nkayi councillors are also believed to be sympathetic to Abedinco Bhebhe, the former MP of the area who was also sacked by the party along side with former Bulilima East MP Norman Mpofu.
There are also reports that other MDC-M councilors from Gwanda, Hwange and Tsholotsho are planning to abandon the party.
Nehanda Radio understands there is a growing anti-Mutambara feeling in the party and that Secretary General Welshman Ncube is already plotting to overthrow him.
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