MDC has reportedly suspended one of its Bulawayo councillors, Ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabutho from all party activities for allegedly ‘selling out internal information to members of the intelligence.’
Mabutho who is also the MDC Bulawayo Provincial Youth Organising Secretary is said to have been suspended two weeks ago by the National Youth Assembly.
Pending a hearing to determine his fate, Mabutho has allegedly been excused from all party activities but still retains control of his ward seat that covers areas of Mpopoma, Matshobana and Kelvin North 2.
According to well-placed sources within MDC provincial structures, Mabutho was suspended for allegedly parcelling out party information to operatives from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).
Sources said, “He was suspended for his alleged collaboration to hostile security agents and was also trying to recruit some CIO members from Magnet House.”
“A date for his hearing has not been determined but his sitting before the party’s National Disciplinary Committee must be within two months,” sources claimed.
In an interview with CITE, Councillor Mabutho denied the suspension claims, insisting he had not received any letter to such effect.
“The first thing is those who said such about me must provide the documentation proving that I was suspended. I have not received any letter written from the party’s national office and whoever said so is lying,” he said
Mabutho noted that he was going about his duties both in the party and city council.
“As it is, I am in my office,” he said.
Reached for comment, MDC Bulawayo Provincial Chairperson, James Sithole, said he heard the suspension reports but could not confirm the claims.
“I have heard the rumours and I say these are unofficial because such wouldn’t happen without my knowledge. If this is true then the suspension would have been done by officials on top,” he said.
MDC Bulawayo Provincial Spokesperson, Swithern Chirowodza, said he does not comment “on security matters of the party” while National spokesperson, Daniel Molokele, who is out of the country said he was unaware of the matter.
