Zimpapers Logo

Fortunate Gora Mash West Correspondent
The MDC-Alliance in Mashonaland West has been thrown into disarray by serious infighting in its structures, with party supporters calling for provincial chairman Mr Ralph Magunje’s ouster. The opposition alliance’s members in Mashonaland West accuse Mr Magunje of wantonly expelling people from the party.

The members also allege that Mr Magunje is working in cahoots with a faction in the party trying to oust Mr Nelson Chamisa as the leader ahead of the February 2019 congress.

He is also accused of working with a group of leaders pushing for the MDC-Alliance secretary-general, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, to be elected the party’s president at the congress.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, MDC-Alliance officials in Mashonaland West said more than 20 party members had so far been expelled from the party in Chinhoyi, with some considering ditching the MDC-Alliance for the Dr Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T.

Among those recently expelled were the MDC-Alliance Chinhoyi district chairperson Mr William Nyamba, Ward 1 chairperson Mr Maclass Mapanga and Mrs Lucia Nzere, who has since joined MDC-T.

Mr Magunje is also accused of imposing his alleged girlfriend, Ms Patricia Chibaya, as the candidate for Ward 2 during the July 30 harmonised elections without approval of the national committee. The supporters pleaded with Mr Chamisa to intervene.

Mr Magunje defended his actions saying the party was expelling members who stood as independent candidates in the harmonised elections.

He said the party’s constitution states that all people who contested as independent candidates automatically expelled themselves from the party. Mr Magunje said those affected should not soil his image through the media, but rather seek clarity from the national office.

“We consulted people to give us a list of all those associated with the independent candidates because they face a similar fate,” he said.

“I am also surprised that these allegations are coming through the media because our national office had not received any letters of complaints from this side. “I do not understand why people rush to newspapers to complain.”

Mr Magunje said disgruntled supporters should not drag Mr Mwonzora’s name in their transgressions, saying choosing a presidential candidate remained someone’s choice and was a secret. He said his recommendation for Ms Chibaya was justified as she won the council seat.

Mr Magunje has also been embroiled in the sacking of Chegutu Mayor Councillor Henry Muchatibaya in a storm that has also sucked in six more councillors who have since been suspended from the party.