MDC Bigwigs Close To Fistfight Over Seniority

MDC vice president Lynnette Karenyi-Kore and party national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo came close to a fistfight after a meeting of the national executive council (NEC) in Harare last week, a report claims.

The two party bigwigs clashed over the post of leader of the opposition in Parliament, a position currently held by Khumalo but craved by Karenyi-Kore saying she is the most senior MDC Alliance member in Parliament. The Chronicle quotes its source as saying:

The issue has been going on for a long time and actually there is a resolution of the NEC that Khumalo steps down and pave way for Karenyi-Kore. It was raised again at the NEC last week and a fierce debate erupted until Chamisa ended it before inviting the two senior members to his office after the meeting.

Khumalo denied the reports on Monday saying party leader Nelson Chamisa last week clarified the matter and she remains the leader of the House.

Meanwhile, reports claim that Chamisa backs Karenyi-Kore for the post and that he was waiting for Khumalo to be given a car as the leader of opposition in Parliament before announcing her replacement.

The conflict between Khumalo and Karenyi-Kore reportedly goes back to the party’s national congress held in Gweru last year when Khumalo was backing Lillian Timveous who lost to Karenyi-Kore for the post.

More: Chronicle