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Temba Dube Senior Reporter—
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai is headed for a baptism of fire in his party’s stronghold, Bulawayo, today ahead of a rally tomorrow with provincial chairperson Gorden Moyo reportedly threatening to resign and members boycotting a provincial meeting. Troubled with vicious factional fights amid increasing calls for him to step down, Tsvangirai will not find joy either in the city of Kings where party insiders have warned that tomorrow’s rally might be a huge embarrassment for him. Party members said an implosion was imminent as the structures in Bulawayo and the rest of Matabeleland were bedevilled by internal squabbles. They said the party structures in Matabeleland were now fragmented as the witch-hunt for members aligned to suspended deputy treasure-general Elton Mangoma who openly challenged Tsvangirai to step down, intensifies.
Moyo’s alleged threats to resign come amid reports that party youths aligned to Tsvangirai want to assault him at tomorrow’s rally at Stanley Square.
The smaller venue is a significant climb down for Tsvangirai who normally uses the giant White City Stadium for star rallies in Bulawayo.
“Tsvangirai will get a baptism of fire when he comes here. Gorden told provincial leaders that he was taking a sabbatical from politics beginning Monday this week until May,” said a party member.
“We are told Thokozani Khupe (MDC-T vice president), Chamisa (Nelson, MDC-T national organising secretary) and Abednigo Bhebhe (deputy organising secretary) are hounding him because they think he supports calls for Tsvangirai to step down.”
Another source within the party said it was disheartening to see the disharmony in Bulawayo.
“This is the only province in the country where we had a clean sweep during the elections. Zanu-PF cleaned us out in the other nine provinces. A provincial meeting to prepare for Tsvangirai’s visit failed to take off on Tuesday as members boycotted,” said the source.
While Moyo could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone, which repeatedly rang unanswered, a text message he allegedly sent to provincial executive members reads: “Bulawayo provincial members! Please note that I will not be in office between March 10 and May 20 2014. As per our constitution, honourable Dorcas Sibanda should handle all the matters requiring the chairman’s attention.
Sources said a road show to drum up support for the rally was also cancelled yesterday because most party supporters were relucant to participate.
“Tsvangirai must wake up to what is happening around him. He has surrounded himself with bootlickers who are flattering him into believing the party revolves around him. He must act decisively now to end the discord or the party is doomed,” said another party member.
Members said the MDC-T was on the brink of another split, which would not be manageable after the 2005 split that divided the party along tribal lines.
“If the party splits this time, it would spell the end of MDC-T. The only hope for recovery would be to rebrand and come with a completely new name, strategy and leadership,” said the member.
Bhebhe sounded taken aback when asked for comment. “I do not discuss party issues in the Press. I also do not know that Godern has taken leave,” he said without elaborating.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora dismissed reports of turmoil within the party.
“That is absolute nonsense. We have not received communication from Moyo about him taking leave. There is no one who will assault him on Saturday. Our rallies are always peaceful,” said Mwonzora.
He said he thought the road show failed to kick off because police did not grant permission.
“I do not think police okayed the road show. However, our mega rally is still on at Stanley Square on Saturday. Police have not yet given the go ahead but they have also not stopped it,” he said.
Khupe and MDC-T Bulawayo spokesperson Mandlenkosi Sibanda could not be reached for comment as they were not answering their mobile phones.
Tumult hit the MDC-T camp following Mangoma’s call for Tsvangirai to relinquish power in order to create room for leadership renewal.
Online Reporter