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Prof Ncube

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
THE Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC is in a free fall with yet another national executive member Mr Edward Mkhosi, saying he is quitting in solidarity with other members of the party who have resigned to protest against the nomination of the party’s secretary-general, Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga into the National Assembly.
Mr Mkhosi, a former Member of Parliament for Mangwe, has joined other key party members who have since left the party over the imposition of Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga won the ticket to the National Assembly on proportional representation in Matabeleland South province.
Those who have already left include former Insiza South MP and national executive council member, Mr Siyabonga Malandu Ncube, former research and policy director Mr Qhubani Moyo and secretary for international relations Mr Sondon Mugaradziko who resigned from the party a few months after its crushing defeat in the 31 July harmonised elections.

The party’s Bulawayo secretary for the youth, Mr Ntando Ndlovu, has also resigned.
The party also recently expelled its Matabeleland South chairman Mr Petros Mukwena and outspoken former Bulawayo deputy mayor, Alderman Charles Mpofu for openly criticising the leadership over the appointment of Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who sparked outrage when she landed the post despite being rejected by the party’s structures in Matabeleland South.

Mr Mkhosi yesterday confirmed his intentions to leave the party.
“As a key member of the party, we have consulted our structures in Matabeleland South and they made it clear that Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga should be removed from Parliament.  Sadly we have some party leaders who are protecting her and the party has a choice to either let Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga remain in Parliament or else I leave   together with other members, who are not happy with the development,” said Mr Mkhosi, a former Copac co-chairperson.

“Our party was founded on democratic principles and the basic rule was flouted when the leadership imposed someone into Parliament against the wishes of the people from the province.”

Party insiders said Mr Malandu Ncube confronted Prof Ncube at the weekend demanding that he fires Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga, saying her nomination was an “insult” to the people from the province.

Other key members who are strongly opposed to the imposition of Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga are former MP for Gwanda Central Mr Patrick Dube and former Bulilima West legislator Moses Mzila Ndlovu.

Contacted for comment, MDC national spokesperson Mr Nhlanhla Dube said although Mr Mkhosi had not formally tendered his letter of resignation, the party would not succumb to individual dictates.

“As a party we haven’t received any official correspondence from Mr Mkhosi. Our principle as MDC is that there is no individual who can hold the party to ransom.

“A party is made up of members who are equal and with a common goal hence we will never succumb to individual ultimatums,” said Mr Dube.

Disgruntled party members in the province have been accusing Prof Ncube and his executive of failing to address the issue of Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

According to the party’s official website, Professor Ncube met members of the party’s Matabeleland South provincial leadership on Sunday and discussed all issues pertaining to the province.

The provincial leadership reiterated its commitment to strict adherence to party protocol in all matters of the party and endorsed the expulsion of Mr Mukwena.

The members of the provincial leadership then made an undertaking that after further consultations within the province, a follow up meeting will be held with the party president and national leadership sometime this month to continue with the internal engagement process.