The Wilstaff Sitemere led provincial executive was shown the exit door after it openly made it clear that it no longer supports party leader Morgan Tsvangirayi. The executive including national executive member Jefreyson Chitando had crossed the floor to support the Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma led faction.
In elections held on Sunday losing MDC-T candidate for Chivi North constituency in the July 31 elections and Harare businessman Bernard Chiondegwa was elected chairman after shrugging off a challenge from another Harare businessman James Gumbie.
Chiondegwa poll 210 votes while Gumbie polled 145 votes. However Gumbie despite losing the polls he was automatically declared Masvingo representative national executive member replacing Chitando.
Those fired from the MDC-T party include chairman Sitemere, vice chairman Ransom Makamure, secretary former deputy minister of youth indigenisation and economic empowerment Tongai Matutu, Spokesman Harrison Mudzuri deputy secretary Heya Shoko , organising secretary Ernest Mudavanhu , youth provincial chairman Oliver Chirume among others.
The new executive is led by Chiondengwa who is deputised by Charles Muzenda. The post of secretary went to Dr Simon Mavetera. John Nyika is the new organising secretary while former Masvingo Mayor Alderman Femias Chakabuda retained his post as provincial treasurer.
Other members of the old provincial executive who retained their posts include secretary for elections Boas Manyanye, secretary for legal Affairs Derek Charamba and secretary for external affairs Tachiona Chiminya.
The elections were presided over by MDC-T deputy national organising secretary Obedenico Bhebhe. “We have no winner today and we do not have a loser,” said Bhebhe.
“We are just reassigning people to different portfolios and as such Chiondengwa is the new chairman while his rival Gumbie becomes a national executive member representing Masvingo,”said Bhebhe soon after announcing the results of the polls.
It also emerged that the old provincial executive was refusing to hand over party assets including a party lorry. Factional fighting has rocked the MDC-T party with party leader Morgan Tsvangirayi leading a faction while secretary general Tendai Biti is leading another camp.
The interim executive will be in charge of party affairs in Masvingo province until the next party congress.
Post published in: News