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Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter—
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday backed down to his suspended deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and publicly admitted that his party was in crisis. Addressing party members at the party’s Harvest House headquarters in Harare, a conciliatory Tsvangirai called on party members to bury the hatchet and “revive” the spirit of 1999 when the British-backed party was formed. In a speech a copy of which was made available to Chronicle, Tsvangirai said of Mangoma: “He is still very much one of us and he is innocent until proven guilty.”
Tsvangirai, who recently said that those who dared challenge him were free to leave the party, made a surprise plea. “At the end of the day, we are a team and we will swim or sink together,” he said.
“Mangoma is not here because the national council, the party’s supreme decision-making body outside congress, has suspended him pending his appearance before an independent disciplinary tribunal.”
The MDC-T leader acknowledged that divisions and infighting over leadership had rocked his party. He claimed the fallout with Mangoma and some of his close lieutenants, viewed to be a powerful force in the internal power struggle, was a demonstration of democracy and freedom of expression.
Tendai Biti, the secretary general and Elias Mudzuri, who have both endorsed calls for Tsvangirai to go attended the briefing but did not speak.
Tsvangirai’s deputy Thokozani Khuphe, deputy national chair Morgen Komichi, National organising secretary Nelson Chamisa and his deputy Abednico Bhebhe, Women’s assembly chair Theresa Makone and Costa Machingauta attended as well.
Tsvangirai downplayed the possibility of a split despite the fierce stand-off with Biti who recently openly defied his suspension of Mangoma. Youths have also joined the protest campaign and are holding meetings across the country denouncing the party’s top brass. “We have created a big tent for everyone and I can restate here that no one already inside is moving out of the tent,” he said. “This party is not splitting and as a leadership in our collective sense, we all know our responsibility to our membership.
“The concept of dynamic contradictions drives our democracy as a party. We confound sceptics and put to shame the perception of the MDC as a party in turmoil and a movement in disintegration.”
Tsvangirai said the party leadership noted in last Friday’s meeting that the party had lost track and was preoccupied with insignificant issues.
“The meeting was a gruelling five hours of honest and frank discussion on the developments in the party and in the country.
“After that frank heart-to-heart session, we all unanimously agreed that the party had needlessly diverted attention from the key issues affecting the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Tsvangirai said party leaders told each other “brutal but honest truth” that he claimed would save the party from turmoil. The MDC-T leader recently roped in “rebels” Job Sikhala, Joubert Mudzumwe, Siyabonga Malandu Ncube and Edward Mkhosi back into the party but critics warn the move was a recipe for an explosion given the unresolved tug-of-war over Mangoma. Mangoma was recently assaulted by party youths allegedly sent by Tsvangirai at Harvest House following his call for the party leader to step down. Biti escaped after he ran into Tsvangirai’s vehicle.
Tsvangirai proceeded to orchestrate Mangoma’s suspension from the party, attracting widespread internal criticism. Biti also had his house recently petrol-bombed by suspected MDC-T militants.
As the party implodes, Tsvangirai through trusted lieutenant Nelson Chamisa has suspended figures and entire executives that are deemed pro-Mangoma. The targeted officials are refusing to go.
Online Reporter