Chadema’s leadership woes: Zitto to spill the beans today

Dar es Salaam. Zitto Kabwe, the Chadema deputy secretary-general who has been stripped of all posts he held in the party, is expected to speak out today on his future in the opposition party.

A brief notice sent to newsrooms yesterday said the Kigoma North MP will address the press at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

He did not say what he would be speaking on but it is likely that he will respond to accusations levelled against him by the Chadema Central Committee.

Speculation was rife, however, that the MP--who will likely lose his role as deputy leader of the official opposition and also chairman of the Public Accounts Committee--will speak on his future in the party.

On Friday, the party leadership gave him and three other top officials who were sent packing 14 days to show why they should not be expelled.

Chadema CC member Dr Kitila Mkumbo, who was stripped alongside Mr Kabwe, will be at today’s press briefing.

The other official affected is Mr Samson Mwigamba, who was the party chairperson for Arusha region. They were jointly accused of rocking the party and plotting to illegally ascend to its leadership.

Mr Kabwe’s decision to speak from his heart came as Friday’s monumental action by his party continued to draw mixed reactions countrywide.

Opinion was divided almost in equal measure, with some welcoming Chadema’s move and others criticising it.

There were warnings that the party could be split. Several party branches were holed up in meetings discussing the development.

Chadema MP for Arumeru Joshua Nassari said he was sorry about the turn of events but assured members that the party was still on track.