DIVISIONS have emerged in the MDC Alliance over a solidarity rally in
support of dethroned Chief Ndiweni from Ntabazinduna.
Mr Nhlanhla Ndiweni lost the chieftainship in November
after it emerged that his elder brother Joram was the rightful heir in line
with Nguni culture and traditions.
The MDC Alliance is planning the rally in Ntabazinduna on
February 1. Sources said because of Ntabazinduna’s proximity to Bulawayo,
senior party officials instructed Matabeleland North and Bulawayo to work
together to organise the rally.
Party insiders’ said divisions have emerged as a result of
divided loyalties and factionalism.
The sources said provincial leaders from the two provinces
were expected to hold a meeting in Bulawayo last Saturday but leaders from
Matabeleland North boycotted the meeting.
“Executive members
from Matabeleland North gave last minute excuses that they would not be able to
attend the meeting. There is an existing rift between the two provincial
leadership structures with those in Matabeleland North saying they do not
recognise their counterparts in Bulawayo. Remember there was a time the
province wrote to the national executive petitioning it to dissolve Bulawayo
structures claiming it is led by an illegitimate executive,” said the source.
“So, in preparation of the coming rally, the Matabeleland
North provincial executive thought this would be their opportunity to push
their agenda to national leaders. They actually want to portray that Bulawayo
leaders are incompetent to mobilise supporters to attend the rally.”
Another source said while the divisions seem to be between
the two provincial executives, the actual issue was the fight to control
Matabeleland region between one of the party’s vice presidents Professor
Welshman Ncube and national chairperson Ms Thabitha Khumalo.
“Prof Ncube is hugely respected in Matabeleland North while
Thabitha is supported by Bulawayo structures. So, both political figures use
the structures to make their political presence felt in the province,” said the
source.
Matabeleland North deputy provincial chairperson Mr
Jabulani Hadebe declined to comment on the alleged divisions between the two
provinces. He however, confirmed that the party was organising a solidarity
rally for Mr Ndiweni.
“Yes, as party we organising a solidarity rally for ‘Chief
Ndiweni on February 1’. We are working with our counterparts in Bulawayo to
prepare for it. We have taken the stance that traditional leaders should be
respected instead of their offices being politicised,” said Mr Hadebe.
Bulawayo MDC Alliance province spokesperson Mr Swithern
Chiroodza professed ignorance over the ‘Chief Ndiweni’ solidarity rally.
He said he was not aware of any difference between the two
provincial executives.
“As for the rally in
Ntabazinduna I don’t know anything. There was no such meeting scheduled for
Saturday, I just think somebody is trying to set the agenda or is just being
mischievous.” Chronicle
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