Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition MDC Alliance has barred all party members save for the president, the secretary-general, his deputy and the spokesperson from speaking to the media.
This comes amid reports that some senior party officials including Tapiwa Mashakada and Paurina Mupariwa have defected to the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe who is Chamisa’s nemesis.
The development also comes after some of the party’s legislators defied Chamisa’s orders and attended Parliament forcing the party to ditch its resolution to boycott Parliament sessions.
Speaking to Daily News, a senior MDC Alliance official described the move as ridiculous and rank madness akin to cutting one’s nose to spite one’s face. The official said:
Chamisa has gone completely bonkers. How else can anyone explain the sudden gagging of senior members such as Biti and Sikhala?
At a time that he needs more voices fighting in his corner to expose Zanu PF’s games and machinations in the current chaos, he is doing the opposite, muzzling his allies.
His friends say he is threatened by these (Alliance) heavyweights and also feels that the media are raising the profiles of his senior officials at his own expense.
Chalton Hwende, confirmed the development saying the gag order was consistent with the MDC Alliance’s constitution adding that the party was coming up with a social media protocol since individuals’ social media accounts cannot be regulated.
More: Daily News