NATIONAL People’s Party (NPP) leader Joice Mujuru’s
political star continues to fall with her entire Masvingo provincial executive
resigning en-masse last week, citing several leadership irregularities, amid
fears the opposition party could collapse ahead of next year’s elections.
The party’s provincial leaders confirmed the development in
a letter signed by provincial chair, Oliver Chirume, dated December 7 and
addressed to Mujuru.
This came at a time NPP youths have scaled up pressure for
the expulsion of Mujuru’s deputy, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo and secretary-general
Gift Nyandoro, whom they accuse of stifling democracy and plotting to destroy
the party from within.
“We wish NPP a steady growth, asserting itself for the
inherent democratisation of our society, fostering freedom of speech, opinion,
reaction, upholding constitutionalism and respect for families and diversity,
eradicating repressive impulses and unfounded egos, intimidation and
re-igniting tolerance, inclusivity, bottom up and guided top-bottom
consultative approach to decision making,” part of the resignation letter
co-signed by Chirume and 15 other members, read.
Some of the disgruntled members indicated that they were
planning to join MDC-T and Zanu PF after being short-changed by Mujuru’s band
of leaders.
NPP national youth leader Lloyd Masiya, who was “fired”
last week alongside several other national leaders, yesterday said he had
mobilised party structures to have Nkomo and Nyandoro stripped of their posts.
“Several provinces have since met over our so-called
expulsion last week. It was agreed that some of the accusations are meant to
derail the party from winning any seat in the coming elections,” Masiya said.
“The provinces and wings of the party are saying let’s
stand up and defend NPP, otherwise it will die. We have made that call that
Nkomo and the rest of the leadership around the president like
secretary-general (Nyandoro) must step down for progress of the party. We are
not going anywhere and it is them that must leave. It’s better for them to
leave with honour now,” he said.
But defiant Nkomo yesterday laughed off the allegations
levelled against him, saying the decision to fire “rogue executive members” was
done collectively.
“Whatever they are saying that I must leave, I don’t know
why I should and I am not leaving,” he said. “Whatever the decisions which were
taken they were collective. If they want elected people to leave their
positions they must write to the secretary-general and not go to the
newspapers.”
Nyandoro described the plan to mobilise for his recall as
bar talk.
“I am not aware of the said sharp differences you are
referring to neither am I also aware of the said party officials lobbying for
my ejection from the party. Our party leadership works as a compatible unit
that has a distinct line of command.
The leadership believes in collective responsibility,” he
said. Newsday
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