adminZvamaida Murwira Harare Bureau
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has dispatched newly elected party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora to Europe to source for funds as he battles to reinvigorate the opposition outfit.
The party was dumped by its traditional donors after a crushing defeat to Zanu-PF in last year’s harmonised elections.
The loss to Zanu-PF saw the MDC-T splitting as disgruntled elements such as former secretary-general Tendai Biti and deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma lost faith in Tsvangirai’s leadership qualities.
Mwonzora flew to Brussels, Belgium, last weekend.
An MDC-T source said Mwonzora was expected to approach a number of organisations to seek financial support.
The MDC-T is banking on former ZCTU secretary-general Wellington Chibebe who is now International Trade Union Confederation deputy secretary-general and is based in Belgium.
“ Mr Mwonzora went to Brussels at the weekend. The party is trying its luck with traditional donors if they can give us another chance. But from the look of it, odds are against us so much that he is likely to return empty handed,” said the source.
MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu confirmed Mwonzora was outside the country but denied he had gone begging.
“Mr Mwonzora is away. He is out of the country but I am not at liberty to say where he is. Suffice to say he will be back in a few days,” said Gutu.
MDC-T’s traditional donors withdrew support following successive election defeats to Zanu-PF, a situation that resulted in donor fatigue.
derick.khumalo