Ncube said Khumalo was expelled due to 'intransigence' over her ties to the rival – and larger MDC formation – led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Political analysts said the move will undermine the democratic process in the country as Khumalo stands to lose her seat in Parliament having been expelled from the party.
Khumalo said she had only learned about her expulsion from the newspapers as she was not even accorded a hearing by the MDC formation. However, Ncube MDC spokesman, Nhlanhla Dube, said Khumalo expelled herself from the party by failing to recognize Ncube’s authority.
Maxwell Zimuto of the MDC formation led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara – formerly head of the wing now led by Ncube – called the expulsion a non-event. Organizing secretary Nelson Chamisa of the Tsvangirai MDC formation said Khumalo was welcome to join MDC-T.