SUNNINGDALE legislator Winnie Kanguni (MDC) has exposed a coup plot against opposition leader Nelson Chamisa by Tendai Biti, which she said was being led by Harare ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore.
This took place as temperatures heated up in an MDC Alliance leadership WhatsApp group, with Kanguni and Ngadziore going toe-to-toe in washing their dirty linen before shocked party leaders.
Ngadziore triggered the debate, accusing Kanguni of selling out Chamisa and the MDC Alliance after she attended a Parliament meeting, saying she should be exposed and dealt with decisively for violating standing committee resolutions.
“The Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Health, Industry, Public Service convened meetings today,” Ngadziore said.
“All genuine MDC Alliance Members of Parliament boycotted in support of national standing committee resolutions. Those who boycotted include the chairperson of the Health committee, Ruth Labode (Matabeleland North proportional representative).
“However, one Kanguni of Sunningadale decided in her great wisdom or lack of it to attend this meeting, clearly in contrast to the party position.”
He added: “Kanguni is, hereby, declared a rebel and due action shall follow immediately after assessing her reasons for defying the party. More provincial council meetings shall be held this week and all rebels will be exposed and dealt with decisively.”
Kanguni did not take the attack lying down, accusing Ngadziore of fanning violence together with Douglas Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi in their bid to oust Chamisa after he led a failed coup on behalf of Biti.
“You are the face of violence, you caused people to be beaten here and everyone knows that you are a sellout,” Kanguni said.
She added: “The only reason is you wanted me to join Biti so that we plot a takeover from Chamisa for 2023. I didn’t join politics to be an MP,” she said in fierce exchanges in a party structured WhatsApp group.
Biti, who has pledged loyalty to Chamisa in public, is seen as the next MDC Alliance president, with insiders saying he is just waiting in the wings to pull the rug from under the feet of his boss.
But other party insiders said it was actually Biti who was leading the fight against Khupe, Mwonzora and Komichi and galvanising the legislators to back Chamisa.
Ngadziore denied being party to any plot against Chamisa, saying Kanguni was trying to divert attention.
He asked her why he had only begun making those claims after siding with Khupe.
“People want to take advantage of the situation prevailing right now to score cheap points. I am well aware of that. I respect Kanguni as my mother, but for her to wait to first violate a party directive, then her eyes open to the alleged coup plots is just funny,” Ngadziore said.
Attempts to get a comment from Kanguni were fruitless.
The MDC Alliance is in sixes and sevens after MDC-T acting president Khupe, through Mwonzora, the secretary-general, recalled four legislators from Parliament last week.
MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende said there was absolute unity around the leadership of Chamisa and legislators were rallying behind him.
“The only consideration that is on the table is what the people of Zimbabwe want,” Hwende said.
“The people of Zimbabwe want a better life, the people of Zimbabwe want a democratic government that enables them to work for themselves and feed their families.”
He added: “MPs are representing the people. We are in politics for the people and solidly behind the leadership of Chamisa, with his deputies who also solidly support him.”
Source: Zimbabwe Voice
