- MDC youth leader accused of being “too soft” for his position
- Sithole also accused of being a social media, desktop activist
MDC Youth Assembly chairperson Obey Sithole is under fire from party and other pro-democracy activists who accuse him of being too soft to be the leader of the youth wing.
According to close sources within the MDC, plans to dethrone him are at an advanced stage and this was shown by the flash demonstration which took place in Harare last week while Sithole was out in Germany.
“He has failed to provide leadership and as young people, we should act. We need someone who is vibrant; you cannot compare Bvondo (Happymore Chidziva) to Obey (Sithole),” said a close source.
Plans to approach provinces to push for a vote of no confidence in Sithole are gathering momentum.
“Plans for a vote of no confidence are taking shape; we need to approach our provinces so that they push it from that angle. We need someone who is vibrant; someone who can give the regime some sleepless nights,” the source added.
Zim Morning Post recently reported that the MDC was in turmoil over a better strategy in order to confront the ruling Zanu PF party as the economy continues to tank.
This comes as squabbles within the echelons of power in the MDC leadership continue to grow.
Vice president Tendai Biti is said to be agitating for a full-blown confrontation centred on massive demonstrations to render the country ungovernable until Zanu PF is forced to the dialogue table, something which is being supported by a section of the Youth Assembly.
The Chamisa faction, on the other hand, has been more tolerant and prefers a non-violent confrontational approach, which is also being supported by Sithole.
According to sources within the MDC, Sithole is more of an academia than a political activist who can lead from the front.
“Sithole is not a commander of a revolution. He is more academic than political. He should play the role which was played by (the late former President) Robert Mugabe during the liberation struggle,” added our source.
The MDC Youth Assembly has on several times confronted the Zanu PF regime in the absence of Sithole.
The last demonstration resulted in the incarceration of Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Chuma, among other members who are believed to be part of the radical camp.
Efforts to get a comment from Sithole were fruitless as his mobile phone was unreachable.