The MDC Alliance’s Masvingo provincial executive which saw a suspension in March this year by its party Leader Nelson Chamisa on grounds of waving factionalism has yet witnessed the sacking of its provincial chairperson James Gumbi by the party leader with former senator Misheck Marava being appointed interim chair.
According to reports, among the top four members of the Masvingo provincial executive who were summoned by the party leader to Harare, only Gumbi was unfortunate to be shut out while the other three; provincial information secretary Derick Charamba, Innocent Munhazo the provincial treasure as well as provincial secretary Erium Musendekwa were all pardoned.
Despite the demotion, Gumbi is reported to have accepted the decision and pledged to work with the new leadership.
Confirming the development Gumbi said, “The party is bigger than me and I was informed of the decision which I am going to follow. The party knows best and if they make a decision you will be obliged to follow.”
“They want the party to move forward and I will work with the new chair to push party programmes,” pledged the sacked Masvingo provincial chair.
Formal communication about the now former Masvingo provincial chair is expected to be made during the MDC Alliance’s provincial executive meeting to be held tomorrow (1st of November 2020).
One anonymous senior official in the MDC Alliance camp accused Gumbi for propelling factional wars in the part, a problem which have cost him his position.
The source highlighted that the problem started last year when the Gumbi faction dislodged the Simon Mapindu led rival faction for the Masvingo provincial congress which was presided by the party Leader, Chamisa.
The elections which also saw the disqualification of Tongai Matutu created hostility in the Masvingo which prompted to the suspension of the entire excecutive.
“Masvingo province had become a big problem to the president (Chamisa). The congress was chaotic and the president thought that the rift would heal and people would move on together but the situation deteriorated.
“The president decided to suspend the entire Gumbi executive pending disciplinary hearing and the hearing was conducted. The National Executive Council (NEC) decided to keep Gumbi suspended and replace him with Marava pending a provincial congress,” he said.
However, the Organising Secretary for MDC Alliance. Amos Chibaya had a totally different words for the story labling the development as a promotion to the National Executive not as a demotion.
“What actually happened was a promotion. Gumbi is now in the national executive and he will have more power than he had. The national executive has more power and Gumbi will be serving from there,” said Chibaya.
On his part, Marava said he was yet to get official communication on his new assignment.
“I heard that the NEC assigned me to be the interim chairperson but I am yet to get official communication. I think it will be addressed at the meeting we are having this Sunday,” said Marava.
Original story at TellZim
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