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The MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has expelled and further ordered recalls on 13 party councillors from four local authorities in yet another punitive response to alleged disloyalty to his shaky authority by party officials.
Mwonzora recalled councilors from Norton, Kwekwe, Kadoma and Mutare.
The opposition leader, according to some of the expelled councilors, accuses them of having sympathies with opposition rival Nelson Chamisa of CCC.
The councillors learnt of their axing in a letter written to Town Clerks of the concerned local authorities by Local Government Minister July Moyo. “I wish to inform you that I am in receipt of a letter from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) stating that the following councilors have been expelled from the party; Rosemary Chinoyera (Ward 9), Charles Dube (Ward 2) and Muchaneta Munyeveri (Ward 3),” Moyo wrote in a letter to Norton Town Clerk.
Also recalled from Kwekwe City Council are Pikirai Musipa (Ward 3), Charles Juta (Ward 7) and Betty Ndhlovu (Ward 13).
Mwonzora went on to issue recalls on three councilors in Mutare and four in Kadoma, including the town’s mayor.
“In terms of Section 278(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with Section (1)(k), the above-mentioned wards are now vacant,” Minister Moyo said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the expelled councillors said the recalls came as a surprise to them as there was never any moment in which they were called for a hearing on any alleged misdemeanors.
The expelled councilors however believe they were targeted for their loyalty switch to CCC.
“It (recall) was a surprise to everyone. Obviously, on their side they sat down and found it appropriate to recall us.
“We support President Nelson Chamisa and we have not been ambiguous about it.
“In my case, I told him straight up that I am CCC. I have never attended even one MDC-T meeting,” said one of the axed councillors.
Mwonzora became MDC-T leader on the back of a fierce power wrangle triggered by the death of founding party leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.
He has struggled to steady the ship amid a party implosion fueled by continued disloyalty by some party officials who have refused to recognise his leadership.
The Nyanga senator has responded through expulsions on party representatives, among them his former deputies Thokozani Khupe and Elias Mudzuri who were recalled from parliament.
Source Zimlive
