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Temba Dube Senior Reporter
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai was on Saturday hauled over the coals during a closed-door meeting with members of his Bulawayo executive who demanded answers to his “senseless” feud with secretary general Tendai Biti and deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma.
Party insiders say Tsvangirai, who had not been briefed about the graffiti at the provincial offices calling for him to step down, was “shocked” at the sight.
“We have been trying to have a meeting with president Tsvangirai for a long time but Khupe (Thokozani, MDC-T vice president) has been blocking us. I think it was morale shattering for our leader to see the graffiti when he eventually agreed to meet us on Saturday, just before the rally,” said a party official.
“Only two people, Amen Mpofu (former Bulawayo Deputy Mayor) and Councillor Gideon Mangena of Ward 24 were able to speak at the brief meeting.”
The sources said Mpofu told Tsvangirai point blank that the party was dying because of the “bootlickers” he had surrounded himself with.
“You are being worshipped by people who want positions and don’t have the party’s interests at heart. These people will never tell you the truth. They are perpetuating the feud with Mangoma because it serves their interests,” Mpofu allegedly blasted.
He reportedly went on to tell Tsvangirai that: “If the senseless fighting continues, Zanu-PF would emerge the only winner as you (Tsvangirai), Biti, Mangoma and the MDC-T will all lose out. May we know the way forward?”
Mangena reportedly weighed in by attacking the provincial leadership for coming up with a new slogan that he felt further widened the cracks within the party structures.
“On Thursday, party leaders came up with a new slogan ongafuniyo kayekele, ngenkani (which loosely translated means; those who are not interested are free to leave, by force.) Surely for a serious party, how can we adopt such a slogan, especially at a time when people are divided?” asked Mangena.
Sources said hands began shooting up as executives sought a chance to speak, Tsvangirai could not stand the heat.
“However, Tsvangirai seemed to have heard enough because he said a date would be set for a proper meeting to hear all the grievances. Honestly, how do we take a soccer slogan, designed to spite opponents and apply it in a party that hopes to one day rule the country. We would expect such from uneducated dictators like Idi Amin,” said the source.
Another party official speaking on condition he is not named said: “It was a deflated Tsvangirai who left for the rally. He did not rise to his usually bubbly self even at the rally, where he spoke with a sober voice. We hope the brief encounter gave him food for thought and he will act to save the party.
“If the meeting did not open his eyes, the low attendance should have. We used to fill up the giant White City Stadium but on Saturday, we failed to fill up the significantly smaller Stanley Square.”
Tsvangirai was booed and heckled by youths believed to be aligned to Mangoma at the rally and security had to forcibly eject some of the rowdy elements.
Mpofu declined to comment on the issue yesterday while Mangena could not be reached on his mobile.
However, MDC-T spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora admitted the meeting took place but said only administrative issues were discussed.
He rubbished members’ sentiments that the absence of provincial chairperson Gorden Moyo, secretary Reggie Moyo and Mzilikazi Senator Matson Hlalo showed that they had joined the Biti-Mangoma faction.
Although on Friday he said he was unaware that Moyo was on “leave”, Mwonzora said: “The chairperson is on study leave and we understand Hlalo and Moyo were away on parliamentary business. Anyway, it is not compulsory to attend party rallies.”
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