admin
“President of MDC-T, you are PM in Government, but to me I know you as president. I have come forward to tell you that your name has been dragged into mud here and I will bet my last dollar if MDC-T wins any elections against Zanu-PF. We are council workers and the majority of us support MDC-T, but we are now having second thoughts,” said a visibly enraged woman to the applause of other supporters.
She said they sometimes go for three months without being paid and yet staff in higher grades had their salaries increased recently.
“PM, you should deal with Masvingo City Council if you have any hope of getting votes here. The person you should deal with is the mayor who is sitting next to you. That man has run down the local authority and by so doing he will cost you votes, come election time.
“We who are in the lower grades, go for months without getting paid and the mayor always opposes our request for a salary increment,” said the woman in reference to Mayor Ald Chakabuda.
Another woman, in apparent reference to Tsvangirai’s sexual escapades, said: “You have also lost good social standing, president, and many members were considering to return to Zanu-PF. You no longer command respect in this province.
“I am MDC-T to the core, but I am having second thoughts, because the party has not done anything good for me. We have to tell you the truth, otherwise you might relax thinking that Masvingo still loves the party,” she said.
In response, PM Tsvangirai arrogantly played down the workers’ grievances and said he did not care whether he wins or loses in the next elections as people are free to choose the leaders they want.
“Kana zviri zvokusviba, handina basa nazvo ndakasviba kudhara (I don’t care much about my tarnished image because I have been soiled already). I don’t care much even if you don’t vote for me. If Zanu-PF wins, I will congratulate them, and if we win, as MDC-T, so be it. I don’t force anyone to vote for me if you feel you don’t want. Just vote for the leader of your choice, I don’t care,” said the PM, to the chagrin of his supporters.
On the other hand, Ald Chakabuda, stung by the accusations levelled against the council, became defensive, saying he would produce a report and send it to the PM on the challenges the local authority was facing. “I promise that as council we will sit down with residents and workers’ representatives and come up with a report that we will send to your office. I believe you will see who is wrong and right at the end,” said Ald Chakabuda.
Mr Tsvangirai has recently been sucked in a vortex of marriage scandals that involve a coterie of women, some of whom claim to have been intimate with him without protection. Women’s organisations have surprisingly remained mum over the abuse of the women.
The PM was flanked by Youth Empowerment and Development Deputy Minister Tongai Matutu and Information and Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa.
Mr Tsvangirai and his entourage are touring all the provinces conscientising the public on issues to do with the draft constitution and progress made by the inclusive Government, among other issues.
Online Reporter