Sikhala claims to have ousted Mutambara as party leader

MDC-M spokesman Edwin Mushoriwa immediately dismissed Sikhalas attempted coup saying it was unconstitutional and dangerous. Mushoriwa said if party members were unhappy with the leadership they could call for an extraordinary congress and the disputes could be resolved there. But Sikhala hit back saying the leadership was blocking the convening of such a congress because they knew they would be given a vote of no confidence.

These people are resisting the convening of a National Council meeting and their only weapon is the suspension and expulsion of members who are trying to take the party back, Sikhala said. He was referring to the sacking of three MPs Abednico Bhebhe (Nkayi South), Njabuliso Mguni (Lupane East) and Norman Mpofu (Bulilima East) on similar allegations of undermining the party.

On Thursday Bhebhe told our Behind the Headlines series that some of their colleagues were heavily opposed to re-uniting with the Tsvangirai MDC, and this was creating most of the friction. Meanwhile Sikhala challenged the MDC-M to convene a congress, saying he would win any contest against Mutambara. He claimed Mutambara would be lucky to get more than a 100 votes within the party structures.

Under the unity deal between the two MDCs and ZANU PF, one of the two Deputy Prime Ministers has to come from the MDC-M. Newsreel asked Sikhala if under this arrangement he would also be seeking to replace Mutambara as Deputy Prime Minister. The fiery politician said he had no interest in the unity deal as it was a sell out arrangement worse that the Smith-Muzorewa internal settlement before independence. This inclusive government is a marriage made in hell he said.