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Leonard Ncube Senior Reporter
THE much celebrated return of the prodigals will not solve MDC-T problems, analysts said yesterday – warning the party to brace for more problems.MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai was on cloud nine at Stanley Square in Bulawayo on Saturday celebrating the return of Job Sikhala, Siyabonga Malandu Ncube and Edward Mkhosi who were paraded before party supporters.
Analysts said Tsvangirai’s celebration was premature given the fierce stand-off with his top lieutenants, secretary general Tendai Biti and deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma, who has since been suspended for calling for leadership renewal.
“We have been following the unfolding events closely. Tsvangirai is truly heading for bigger problems. He should solve real problems before bringing in angry defectors,” said political analyst Dumisani Mpofu.
“Tsvangirai is desperate to hold the party together but he is misdirecting himself by concentrating on attracting rebels back to the party without solving the bigger problem of an imminent split,” said one of the analysts.
Analysts said the events on Saturday have shown how Tsvangirai was determined to sacrifice anyone even if it means surrounding himself with the ‘weaklings’ only.
Dumisani Nkomo said MDC-T should be more worried about interrogating the reasons behind the raging leadership unrest if it is to keep its support base intact.
“What is important is for them to address internal fighting which is threatening to destroy the party instead of spending energy on the few rebels that are bringing nothing to the party” said Nkomo.
He said the party was supposed to deliberate on the issues raised by Mangoma which most members of the party feel are pertinent.
Dr Lawton Hikwa said the coming on board of the prodigals was not an answer to the issues affecting the party’s leadership.
“The MDC-T is facing a leadership crisis hence the infighting being witnessed,” he said.
Widening fissures within the MDC-T were evidenced by the absence of Biti, Bulawayo chairman Gorden Moyo and Samuel Sipepa Nkomo among other senior leaders at Saturday’s rally.
Women’s Assembly chairperson Theresa Makone believed to be aligned to Tsvangirai, openly blasted Biti and Mangoma for challenging Tsvangirai leadership.
Psychology Maziwisa said the defections by Mkhosi, Sikhala and Malandu were meant to create the impression that the MDC-T is now stronger.
“This confusion in opposition politics confirms that opposition parties have no future in this country,” he said.
Sikhala announced his return to MDC-T last week and yesterday pledged allegiance to Tsvangirai while accusing Biti and Mangoma of being possessed.
“We looked for each other and when we talked, he (Tsvangirai) said to me, why have you forsaken me, come let us finish what we started in 1999. I have come back to the party fully committed to working for it. Those who are possessed should leave me and my president to fight Mugabe,” said Sikhala.
Contrary to MDC-T’s claims that Zanu-PF rigged last year’s polls, Sikhala said the party lost because of its naivety and preoccupation with personal interests.
Mkhosi said his return was aimed at effecting regime change.
“I came here because the leader (Tsvangirai) has said let us unite. The aim is not to remove Morgan or Ncube (Welshman) but Zanu-PF,” he said claiming he had been sent by people in Mangwe.
Organising secretary Nelson Chamisa said his party was now courting Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and NCA leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku.
“We even want to talk to Dabengwa and those you think are not approachable. Our target is to be united and remove Mugabe (President),” he said.
However, Dr Dabengwa said while his party was open for engagement, it was not part of the regime change agenda.
“If they approach us, our team will listen to what they want and decide the way forward,” said Dr Dabengwa.
Online Reporter