Biti’s party in shambles as executive members resign

Tinashe Zisengwe

Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Midlands Chapter has been left hanging in the air following the resignation of senior party executive members including Clemence Kwaru, Makina Muchemei and Jericho Takavarasha who resigned citing corruption allegations and nepotism.

The trio submitted resignation letters on different dates last month to the party’s national chairperson Theresa Mativenga and National Youth chair citing nepotism as a factor for their resignation.

A letter written by Vice Organising Secretary Clemence Kwaru which this publication is in possession of, partly reads, “As the Vice Organizing Secretary of PDP l have come to the extreme limit as l have decided to keep out from the political duties and commitment due to what l mention as ‘contrary facts within the in-house’.”

The other letter written by Vice Youth Organising Secretary Makina Muchemei  partly reads, “In as much as I wanted to prolong my anticipated strength and capacity to build, recruit and mobilize the party, I therefore call it an end filled with sympathy and great sorrow.”

Makina added that despite his initial dedication to the party, he was forced to announce his resignation since PDP national leadership is running the party like tuck-shop, imposing their relatives on influential posts.

The remaining internal sources who pleaded for anonymity also blasted PDP’s national chairman Mativenga for wading into grassroots structures, causing confusion in a ploy to willy-nilly elect her close relatives.

The party’s spokesperson could not be reached for a comment as his phone went unanswered.