PROFESSOR Welshman Ncube’s MDC party is said to be battling serious financial problems which have hampered efforts to hold rallies and other campaign activities across the country.

So dire is the financial crisis that some delegates had to pay for their accommodation and other expenses during the party’s recent congress where Ncube took over as party leader.

“We have no money in the party coffers. It’s not a secret that we were operating on a shoestring budget during our two-day congress,” deputy president, Edwin Mushoriwa said.

“You should understand that unlike other political parties which get money from the West and donors, we do not have vast amounts.”

Provincial officials said rentals for offices had gone unpaid for months while campaign efforts were being undermined by the lack of transport.

The party is said to have only four vehicles for its 12 administrative provinces.

“Information at hand indicates that the party has only four vehicles — one in Manicaland, another in Masvingo and two in the Matabeleland provinces,” Masvingo chairman, Robson Mashiri said.

“As we speak, we have not paid rentals for our offices, yet the rent is only US$200 per month. To further highlight the problem, my province only received US$4 to cover the expenses it incurred during the congress.

Former national chairman Joubert Mudzumwe said the party did not have any assets at all.

“Since 2006, as the party national chairperson, I have never known of any assets belonging to the MDC or even any offices in the 12 provinces.

“The same applies to motor vehicles. The only motor vehicles I am aware of are a written off Mazda,” he said.

Foreign funding of political parties is banned by law in Zimbabwe.

The government provides an annual grant based on the parties’ representation in parliament under the Political Parties Finance Act.

However, the paities say the grant is woefully inadequate.