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Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
THE MDC yesterday suspended former acting secretary general Moses Mzila Ndlovu and five others as the party moves to quash an internal rebellion against its leader, Professor Welshman Ncube.

Mzila Ndlovu and national executive committee members Esaph Mdlongwa and Abednicho Moyo, Bulawayo provincial director for elections, Victor Nyoni, fellow provincial member Lucky Fengu and Greenfield Moyo from Midlands South were suspended on allegations of acting against the party’s constitution.

The six are accused of circulating a petition calling on Prof Ncube to step down from the helm of the party because of leadership failure.

MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi yesterday said the six were served with suspension letters as part of the party’s “cleansing process.”

“The six are harmless puppies whose dramatic antics will never affect party stability and party growth at all. Things have started moving since the removal of Mzila from the hot seat,” said Chihwayi.

“Everyone is now busy at work. Professor Ncube’s political life is not under threat and no amount of silly barking will force him out. He was elected by all members of the party.”

Mzila Ndlovu was at the weekend relieved of his duties over allegations of failing to execute tasks to the satisfaction of the party, although some members have said that his sacking was a culmination of personality clashes between him and Prof Ncube.

On Tuesday, Mzila Ndlovu confirmed claims that since he took over from Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga who resigned from the post last year, Prof Ncube shut him out from a number of party trips and engagements with other parties as well as donors.

The deposed acting SG also confirmed that Prof Ncube preferred the company of his deputy Miriam Mushayi or former party treasurer Paul Themba Nyathi in the various engagements that included meeting Joice Mujuru, of People First, and Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party.

However, the party launched an attack on Mzila following the disclosures saying Prof Ncube neither held meetings with Mujuru nor Biti.

“Allegations of marginalisation and sidelining of Mzila Ndlovu from high level meetings and trips are categorically false and an attempt to conceal and divert attention from the former acting secretary general’s failures to perform the numerous responsibilities and duties assigned to him by the party,” said Chihwayi.

“The truth of the matter is that in the one year he was acting SG, Mzila Ndlovu’s only preoccupation was attending foreign trips while completely neglecting other functions of his office.”