MDC suspends top official over funding claims

An outspoken opposition parliamentarian, who provoked an international storm after claiming that his party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), received illegal foreign funding from Nigeria, Ghana and Taiwan, has been suspended from his party.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai wrote to Job Sikhala on Monday, telling him of the decision to suspend him.

Tsvangirai's spokesperson, William Bango, confirmed Sikhala's suspension on Monday.

"Yes, the president (Tsvangirai) has written to Mr Sikhala informing him of his suspension from the party.

He is barred from conducting party business or organising rallies "He is barred from conducting any party business or organising any rallies on behalf of the MDC pending a final determination of the matter on Saturday," said Bango in reference to a meeting of the national executive committee of the MDC called by Tsvangirai for the weekend.

Even those officials opposing Tsvangirai over participation in elections later this month for a new Senate are understood to have agreed with the stance taken by the MDC leader on the outspoken MP.

In a dramatic U-turn, Sikhala backtracked from his sensational statement early last week that the internal strife within the MDC was not really about participation in senatorial elections but over control of at least US$2,5-million (about R16-million) the party allegedly received from Ghana, Taiwan and Nigeria.

But it seemed the damage had already been done, and his retraction won't save him. The three countries denied Sikhala's claims.

It is understood that since Sikhala made his claims, African diplomats in Harare have shunned any interaction with the MDC.

Tsvangirai regularly engages with African and European diplomats based in Harare.

Sikhala had also alleged that MDC funds had been misappropriated by senior party leaders and they were now fighting to control a "thinning cake" as donors begin to desert the MDC due to its perceived impotence.

Sikhala's statement immediately drew angry rebuttals, particularly from Ghana and Taiwan. It also provided an ample chance for the Zimbabwean government to intensify its siege of the MDC.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced that his government would immediately probe the MDC over the issue. Under Zimbabwe's Political Parties Finance Act, it is illegal to receive foreign funding for political activities.

Rebuttals by the three governments and repeated denials by Tsvangirai, who had branded Sikhala a candidate for "psychiatric examination", had not done much to deflect the government's enthusiasm to purse the matter.

Sikhala had retracted his allegations as mere "thick rumour". Sikhala said he had made the claim in a bid to contain squabbling MDC leaders and get them to bury their differences.

He did not explain how such a statement would serve to unite the party, which remains divided over the issue of the Senate elections.