Legislators demand answers from Tsvangirai

Herald Reporter
MDC-T legislators on Wednesday confronted party president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai demanding an explanation for leadership wrangles in the opposition.The MPs and the standing committee met Mr Tsvangirai at their Harvest House headquarters in Harare, where they demanded answers on the party’s future.

This follows intra-party violence at Harvest House where deputy treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma was assaulted by rowdy youths for asking Mr Tsvangirai to step down in the wake of election defeats at the hands of Zanu-PF and President Mugabe between 2000 and 2013.

The MDC-T mob also went after secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti, national youth leader Mr Solomon Madzore, his brother and Harare provincial chairperson Mr Paul Madzore, and national youth secretary-general Mr Promise Mkwananzi.

Officials who attended Wednesday’s meeting said the MPs complained that they were failing to explain what was happening in the party to their grassroots supporters.

MDC-T Chief Whip Mr Innocent Gonese declined to comment, saying he was at the funeral of MDC-T official Mr William Bango.
Party spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said he did not attend the meeting because he was in court.

Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, confirmed the meeting but declined to give details of what was discussed.
“It is normal that party leadership invites MPs to brief them on developments in the party. These are internal and private issues which need not to be divulged to the Press” said Mr Tamborinyoka.

Sources said Mr Tsvangirai assured the MPs that he was in charge.
“The president said the differences that occurred were now water under the bridge. He said party leadership was united and implored us to remain united. He told us that he was still in control of the party,” said a source.

Another source added: “The president said we should remain focused so that we can deliver democracy.”
The party is sailing turbulent waters with Mr Mangoma joining a host of senior party officials in calling for Mr Tsvangirai to                         resign.