MDC vice chairperson resigns Prof Welshman Ncube
Prof Welshman Ncube

Prof Welshman Ncube

Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
TURMOIL in the Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC has deepened with the party’s deputy national chairperson Frank Chamunorwa resigning from his position in protest over allegations of being disloyal to the party leader.

Chamunorwa’s resignation comes barely two weeks after former party secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga resigned following a fall out with Ncube over positions in the proposed new party to be formed when MDC and MDC Renewal merge.

The resignation also comes ahead of a joint rally between MDC and MDC Renewal at Stanley Square in Bulawayo on Sunday.

In his emotional resignation letter dated 24 February, Chamunorwa revealed that he had been fingered to be part of “a gang of four” comprising senior party members who have rebelled against Ncube.

In the alleged gang of four comprises Chamunorwa, former secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga, party national chairperson Goodrich Chimbaira and spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I humbly tender my letter of resignation. I have to reconcile the events that have taken place in the party in recent weeks and the inconsistencies that have bogged the party to the extent of leaving me with no other choice but resign from my vice chairman’s post henceforth,” wrote Chamunorwa.

He reminded Prof Ncube of an incident in 2005 when he was beaten up by MDC youths allegedly at the behest of Morgan Tsvangirai because of his allegiance to the Law Professor at the time of the split.

Chamunorwa in the letter said the “shallow insinuations of tribal inclination” Prof Ncube was accused of did not deter him from leaving the main MDC as Tsvangirai had failed to uphold the tenets of constitutionalism.

“You also know president that I remained a loyal cadre of our MDC under your stewardship and that loyalty remains sacrosanct to today. I have never doubted your leadership nor do I intend to do so now.

“To then learn after what we went through together more so the torture and beatings cum trauma I went through because I had chosen, and rightly so, to follow you with your leadership style that to me was impeccable that today you cast aspersions over my loyalty both to party and to you sir is heart-rending and unfortunate,” wrote Chamunorwa.

“You’re aware, sir, that I now have become embroiled in the so called gang of four which is being accused and or credited with plotting a coup against your leadership in the scenario of the unification currently raging on.

“The serious and dangerous insinuation that I could be party to a grand design to unseat you is not only absurd but ludicrous in mild terminology and renders my continued part of your team untenable.”

Chamunorwa said the “yoke” of mistrust placed on him had left him disillusioned and sad.

He said he would remain loyal to the party and pray that one day Prof Ncube will realise how wrong he was about his conduct.

Chamunorwa said as a result he was “grudgingly” relinquishing the post that he said Prof Ncube had fought so hard to bestow on him.

Dube yesterday declined to comment on the developments saying he had not seen Chamunorwa’s resignation letter.

On the alleged “gang of four,” Dube said, “I’ve never been in the habit of commenting on fiction.”

Dube said his party was a serious one that dwelt on equally serious matters.

However, sources said there was a feeling of resentment from Prof Ncube’s top lieutenants about the manner in which he handled the matter.

The lieutenants feel that Prof Ncube left them open to attacks by an emerging group of “loyalists.”

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