Zimbabwe MDC-M MP's Loyalty Under Scrutiny

Mkandhla who is MDC Gwanda former mayor is among one of the seven MPs in Matabeleland South who were elected into parliament under the MDC-M ticket.

The outspoken MP has been accused by his colleagues of wining and dining with MDC-T officials and sabotaging party activities in the constituency.

“Our supporters in the area have been questioning Mkandhla’s allegiance to the party and its causes. Of late he has been seen in the company of MDC-T party officials in the area,” said a source in the MDC-M’s national council who refused to be named.

The source said the party’s national council recently discussed the issue at a meeting held in Bulawayo and resolved to investigate Mkandhla over the allegations.

“In the next two weeks the party will be dispatching its investigating team to Gwanda to gather evidence from supporters.Mkandhla has not been attending party meetings and he has not come out clear on where he stands. The party will be guided by the outcome of the investigations, “said the national executive member.

Mkandhla however denied the allegations.

“Gwanda is a small place and I interact with everyone in the political, social, religious and business circles. Remember I was once a mayor for the town for five years,” he said.

Mkandhla said this is not the first time that he has been accused of having political links with the MDC-T.

The move to investigate Mkandhla comes at a time when the party is battling to contain defections within its rank and file.

Last week 16 Kusile councilors in Lupane District in Matabeleland North Province deserted the party accusing its leadership of arrogance dictatorial tendencies as well as supporting Zanu (PF).

Councilors from Nkayi have also disserted the party in masse due to similar reasons.

Efforts to get a comment from the party’s spokesperson Ediwin Mushoriwa were all in vein.