Sibanda was appointed minister of state responsible for National Healing in the Deputy Prime Minister’s office in the inclusive government, but he was supposed to have found a seat either in parliament or in the senate before May 19. The country’s constitution clearly provides that a cabinet post can only be held by a member of parliament.
According to media reports, the President of the party, Arthur Mutambara, has already promised to find a seat for Sibanda. “Initially Paul Themba Nyathi was the party’s choice for the post but because of the Sibanda dilemma the party found itself in, Mukhosi is going to be the governor and Sibanda is going to be his replacement in Mangwe. The party’s national leadership will start to hold meetings very soon in the constituency, explaining this development to its supporters,” said a senior party official who refused to be named for fear of victimization.
According to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed by the leaders of the two MDC formations and Zanu (PF), each party is supposed to appoint a replacement in the event of a sitting MP losing his or her seat. But, other candidates besides the three main political parties are free to contest the post in a by-election.
The appointment of Mukhosi as governor is also seen by the party’s insiders as a way of containing increased disgruntlement among the party’s sitting MPs, some of whom have openly clashed with the party’s top leadership.
I think the leadership has realized its blunder of parcelling out cabinet posts to themselves at the expense of the MPs. I think they are now trying to get support from some of the MPs because they must have realized that they cannot sideline them,” said a party MP.
The party early this month suspended five of its MPs and other senior party officials for allegedly denouncing the party’s leadership and holding unsanctioned meetings.
Some of the suspended MPs include Abedenico Bhebhe (Nkayi South), Zinti Mkandla (Gwanda South), Norman Mpofu (Bulila South) Maxwell Dube (Tsholotsho) and Lupane North legislator, Njabuliso Mguni.
Post published in: News