MDC factions fight over State funds

The Chronicle
Harare Bureau

THE Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC faction is set to lose out on the $8 billion State funds the opposition party got as its share under the Political Parties Finance Act.

This comes in the wake of a five point proposal by Bulawayo South Member of Parliament, Mr David Coltart, aimed at securing an amicable separation, as the split of the party has now become inevitable.
In his proposal, Mr Coltart, who indicated yesterday that he was still consulting with leaders for both factions, proposed that both factions should agree on how to share the party properties, that neither faction should approach Speaker of Parliament seeking the removal of any MPs and precipitating by-elections.
Mr Coltart who has declined to align himself to any faction, also proposed that neither group would use MDC’s open hand symbol as that might give the other group an unfair advantage and reaching an agreement on the use of party slogans.
The Gibson Sibanda-led faction seemed determined to deny the other faction the $8 billion from the Government, arguing that they constitute the bona fide members of MDC.
The development follows communication by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, to party secretary-general Professor Welshman Ncube of Government’s intention to disburse the money.
A total of $20 billion has been allocated by the Government this year to be allocated to eligible political parties, which are Zanu(PF) and MDC – the only two parties represented in Parliament.
Sources in the Sibanda-led faction said they would not release any cent to the pro-Tsvangirai faction, claiming that they had a legitimate right and entitlement to the money.
“Why would we give money to people who have left the party? They have since ceased to be party members by virtue of them continuing to follow a leader who has been expelled from the party,” said a high ranking official in the faction in apparent reference to Mr Tsvangirai.
Professor Ncube was evasive yesterday on the issue, referring questions to national treasurer, Mr Fletcher Dulini Ncube, who could not be reached for comment.
Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Mr William Bango, accused the Sibanda-led faction of looting party property, including the State funds.
He said the action his faction would take would be determined by their congress scheduled for next month.
“Mr Tsvangirai said when he formed MDC with Sibanda and (national chairman, Isaac) Matongo in 1999 they had a capital base of $200 million and the view is that money is not the heart and soul of the party. The party will move ahead with or without the money from the Government,” said Mr Bango.
“He still maintains that the funds are from tax payers’ money and that we as a party are entitled to it. However, the issue of party assets and other benefits that include the money would be dealt with at the congress.”
MDC, which has been ripped into two camps following disagreements over participation in last November’s Senate election, are headed for parallel congresses.
Meanwhile the National Constitution Assembly said it would attend both factions’ congresses and would deliver solidarity messages.
In a statement NCA chairman, Dr Lovemore Madhuku pledged support for both factions, saying his association would work with both of them.
“In this respect, the NCA will treat each of the political parties in the same way it treats other political parties, any Zimbabwean political party, whatever its history, is free to join and participate in the activities of the NCA as long as it shares the NCA’s beliefs,” said Dr Madhuku.
“However, it is the NCA’s experience that not every political party which joins the NCA puts the same effort in the struggle for a new constitution. The NCA will therefore work closely with those political parties who, by action on the ground, show a genuine commitment to the struggle for a new, democratic and people-driven constitution.”

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