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George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
Things are falling apart within the MDC-Alliance here as the party is slowly disintergrating due to constant infighting, amid reports of widespread disgruntlement over the provincial leadership ushered into office this year.

Trade unionist Mr James Gumbi retained the Masvingo provincial chairmanship post in a hotly contested battle against ex-Masvingo Urban legislator Mr Tongai Matutu, who reportedly fronts a rival faction.

Sources in the party yesterday said Mr Gumbi’s controversial win ahead of the MDC-Alliance’s elective congress held in May this year, is beginning to take its toll on party activities and programmes as the beleaguered party sinks deeper into the murky waters of factionalism.

The increasing factional bickering among party members aligned to rival factions has engendered disgruntlement that has virtually paralysed party activities.

There are fears that the factional bickering may completely cripple the opposition party in Masvingo after only a handful of party members attended the party’s provincial council meeting last weekend.

Less than 60 provincial council members out of more than 1 000 attended the meeting held at the party’s provincial headquarters in Rhodene suburb.

Sources said the snub was a clear signal that all was not well within the party and an indication that members’ confidence in Mr Gumbi’s leadership was increasingly waning.

Most of the provincial council members reportedly stayed away from the meeting in show of frustration with the new provincial leadership.

The snub was also reportedly part of a fight back by Mr Matutu’s camp which is trying to throw spanners in Mr Gumbi’s works.

Last Saturday’s provincial council meeting called by Mr Gumbi was the first to be held ever since the acrimonious and divisive polls held ahead of the congress.

MDC-Alliance provincial spokesperson for Masvingo Mr Derrick Charamba denied his party was riddled by factionalism.

He attributed the low attendance by members at last week’s provincial council meeting to ongoing campaigns for the Zaka East seat.

“I don’t share the sentiment that members snubbed the provincial council meeting because even I was not at that meeting,” he said.

“I think most of the party leaders who happen to be in the council were in Zaka East campaigning. There is no factionalism in MDC-Alliance. I have not seen any evidence of it.”

Ironically, Mr Charamba is the MDC-Alliance parliamentary candidate for the Zaka East by-election scheduled for September 21.

He should obviously have been aware and sure of the presence of the party provincial leaders campaigning for him in the constituency.

Zanu-PF has chosen businessman Cde Clemence Chiduwa for the by-election.