. . . opposition party national leadership intervenes
with the party having struggled to make an imprint on the Masvingo political landscape.
The situation was further exacerbated by shambolic primary elections held by the party across the province, which in some cases were marred by violence.
There were fears that Mr Gumbi’s move could further endanger the MDC-T’s chances of a good performance in next month’s elections.
Mr Gumbi, who earlier had confirmed stepping down as MDC-T chair in Masvingo, yesterday said the MDC-T national leadership had rejected his resignation.
“Yes, it’s true that I had resigned from my post as Masvingo MDC-T chair, but the national party leadership rejected my resignation. It means that I remain party chair in the province,’’ he said.
He could not be drawn into disclosing the reasons behind his resignation.
“I am in a meeting at the moment, I can’t say anything further other than that my resignation has been rejected,’’ said Mr Gumbi.
His resignation came after the MDC-T and its partners in the MDC Alliance have been failing to make meaningful inroads in the province which is a Zanu-PF stronghold.
The MDC-T has been riven by intense jockeying over the control of both council and parliamentary seats in the province ahead of next month’s elections.
The fights were more pronounced in Masvingo Urban Constituency where businessman and national executive member Mr Takanai Mureyi was the first to succumb to pressure and stepped down after being selected unopposed to represent the party in the coming elections.
Primary elections were later held to fill Mr Mureyi’s position and the poll was won by the unheralded Mr Jacob Nyokanhete, who thumped the likes of Masvingo Mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze, who had set his sights on the Masvingo Urban seat.
guilty.
“Once again, Zimra remains committed to serving the nation in order to collect the much-needed revenue for the State and I would like to thank our law enforcement agents for partnering us in dealing with corrupt elements within our members of staff. It is our hope that justice will prevail and that the courts will continue to make deterrent verdict(s) against any forms of corruption.”
Sources close to the investigations said the contraband and the South African-registered truck had been impounded by Zimra under notice of seizure numbers 017344 and 017 345 respectively.
“The two will be appearing in court soon facing charges of criminal abuse of office,” said one source.