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Tendai Biti

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday fired its president Mr Tendai Biti among other senior members.

The party has split over disagreements around the formation of an opposition coalition.

Mr Biti was replaced by the party’s national chairperson Mrs Lucia Matibenga.

Some of the prominent people that were axed are vice president Kucaca Phulu and the party’s national spokesperson Mr Jacob Mafume.

PDP’s secretary general Dr Gorden Moyo announced the sacking of Mr Biti and his lieutenants following a meeting of the party’s general council in Bulawayo.

“The general council therefore has with immediate effect accepted the exit of the following members who have since joined the MDC Alliance Tendai Biti, Kucaca Phulu, Eveline Masaiti, Jacob Mafume, Settlement Chikwinya, Tawanda Vumo, Moses Manyengavana, Willias Madzimure, Vincent Musewe and Willstaff Chitemere. They have opted out of PDP by joining the MDC Alliance without the express approval of the general council,” said Dr Moyo.

He said Mr Biti and colleagues violated the PDP’s constitution by associating with the MDC Alliance.

“The general council noted that the PDP’s association with the MDC Alliance violates the party’s constitution in particular article six and article seven of the preamble which specifically mentions that the leadership of the MDC Alliance as an albatross to the much needed change in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Moyo.
He said the sacked individuals were also fanning tribalism and promoting hate speech describing them as people suffering from a poverty of ideas.

Dr Moyo said although PDP is pro-opposition coalition it does not want to lose its identity by joining an alliance which wants to submerge the party.

Mr Mafume described the general’s council resolution as a nullity saying as far as he is concerned the PDP has no leadership change.

“I heard that some people purportedly held a Press conference to fire people. The party’s constitution does not allow that.

“It’s null and void. It’s just f**ting in the wind. Normally a f**t produces a bad smell, that’s all it achieves. We’re very clear as party the president is Mr Tendai Biti, elected at the congress and it terms of our constitution we are holding a general council tomorrow (today),” said Mr Mafume.

He said those who are against the MDC Alliance lacked understanding of modern politics and should be given a chance to catch up.

The formation of the MDC Alliance has created tension in the opposition movements in both the PDP and MDC-T in some cases breaking into fights. — @nqotshili