admin
Temba Dube Senior Reporter
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday arrived in Bulawayo for his star rally at Stanley Square today to find the writing on the wall, literally, calling for him to step down. Factionalism within the party reached boiling point with youths allegedly aligned to deputy secretary-general Elton Mangoma yesterday spray painting graffiti on the perimeter walls, offices and vehicles at the party’s Bulawayo headquarters, demanding Tsvangirai’s ouster.
“Join the leadership renewal team, we want a new leader, Tsvangirai must step down,” were some of the spray painted messages.
Mangoma drew the ire of party leaders when he asked Tsvangirai to step down and pave the way for leadership renewal.
The confusion that ensued was reportedly compounded by reports that MDC-T was so broke it could not afford to pay security guards at the offices.
Donors have reportedly deserted the party after it failed to unseat President Mugabe in last year’s harmonised elections.
MDC-T Bulawayo organising secretary Albert Mhlanga yesterday lashed out at Mangoma, blaming him for the embarrassing graffiti.
“This is not the work of the CIO. It is our own youths who have been bought by Mangoma. I would like to point out that their number is very small. There is no crisis as we have dealt with the matter internally,” said Mhlanga.
He said the party had reported the matter to the police, repainted the perimeter wall and was awaiting today’s rally.
A party official said the chorus for Tsvangirai to relinquish power was gathering strength.
“The chairperson, Gorden Moyo, the secretary Reggie Moyo and other senior members believed to have joined the Mangoma band wagon. All over the provinces people are beginning to appreciate Mangoma’s sentiments.
“It is only the die hard ‘brainless’ followers who do not want to open their eyes to reality, who still believe in Tsvangirai,” said the official.
“The party is broke. Biti (Tendai), the secretary general and Mangoma whom Tsvangirai is fighting hold the keys to the donors. Without their support, the strain is beginning to tell. The party cannot even hire one security guard to look after the offices. We could not even print fliers to advertise Saturday’s rally.”
Tsvangirai arrived in Bulawayo, the only province where his party won all seats in the harmonised elections, to find his stronghold on fire.
Moyo has reportedly threatened to abandon the party on the wake of ongoing squabbles and has taken what he terms three months “leave” from the party with insiders saying he threatened to resign if Tsvangirai did not solve the infighting.
On Tuesday, party members reportedly boycotted a meeting called to prepare for Tsvangirai’s arrival today.
On Thursday, a road show to advertise his rally was abandoned after members reportedly snubbed it.
Party members maintain that if the impasse among the leaders is not solved, the party will split again, signalling an end to the Chinja movement.
Online Reporter