Embattled Zimbabwean Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara on Wednesday moved to reclaim leadership of the smaller formation of the Movement for Democratic Change, declaring in a Harare news conference that Welshman Ncube was not legitimately elected president of the party and declaring him expelled from the grouping.
Mutambara’s broadside came a day before the leadership of the troubled MDC faction was expected to expel him for refusing to defer to Ncube as deputy prime minister.
Addressing reporters at his government offices in the Munhumutapa Building, Mutambara said he did not recognize Ncube as the legitimate head of the MDC wing, referring to a court challenge lodged by party dissidents who charged there were irregularities in
Ncube’s election at a party congress held in early January.
Political analyst Dzikamai Machingura offered the view that Ncube legally remains the head of the lesser MDC formation unless the High Court issues a decision in the matter, adding thatMutambara seems to be digging in to hold onto his position as deputy premier.
