MDC-T Bulawayo province, which is rocked by factionalism ahead of its elective congress in May, wants party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to order State Enterprises minister Gorden Moyo to stop campaigning for the provincial chairman’s post because he is not eligible to contest in party elections.
In an interview with Zimbabwe Independent on Wednesday, MDC-T provincial information and publicity secretary Felix Magalela Mafa said Moyo only bought his party membership card two months ago, which disqualified him from contesting the elections.
According to the party requirements, eligible candidates should have been members for at least two years.
He said the provincial leadership resolved last week to talk to Tsvangirai to “rein in on minister Gorden Moyo who is causing havoc” in the province.
Mafa said the provincial leadership accused Moyo, whom they said was causing friction within the party, of “wily nily violating protocol by causing the arrest of party members who oppose him”.
Last week, Sibonisiwe Nyoni , Sikhangezile Sibanda and Sanani Sibanda appeared in a Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court after spending four days in police custody for allegedly threatening a party member, Caphina Maseko (52). They were charged with contravening Section 45 (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and were remanded out of custody.
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Mafa said: “It’s true that Moyo is eyeing the chairmanship, but as per our constitution he does not qualify. As recent as two months ago, he bought a party card making him a member. But his actions of late, that of causing the arrest of party members opposed to him, is shocking.
“Possibly next week, we will send representatives to Tsvangirai to explain the havoc that Moyo is causing in the party.”
Moyo has continuously refused to comment on the issue arguing that it was party business.
According to Mafa, many in MDC-T in Bulawayo view Moyo as a “hired hand” by Tsvangirai, who was now trying to hijack the province through the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association – an arm of Bulawayo Agenda.
Moyo is the former chairman of Bulawayo Agenda, a pro-democracy group based in Matabeleland.
While a source in the provincial executive said: “There is a strong feeling in the province that Moyo is less qualified for the post and they base this on requirements under the party’s electoral guidelines that says someone should be a member of the party for at least two years.
“Such incidents would only get worse towards congress and both camps are so determined to land the post at any cost.”
Agnes Mloyi is the current provincial chairperson and his deputy, Mzilikazi senator Matson Hlalo confirmed on Wednesday that he wanted the post but “only when nominated by the people”.
“It’s not part of our protocol to tip yourself to any post. But when members express their desire to elect me to chairmanship I would not turn them down,” said Hlalo.
In January, MDC-T Youth Assembly said ministers invited by Tsvangirai to the party are “welcome but they should not take advantage of their invitation by the party to usurp powers in the party”.
