via Mangoma has ‘no problem’ working with Tsvangirai | SW Radio Africa by Tichaona Sibanda on Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Suspended MDC-T deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma is a democrat who has no problems working with party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Jacob Mafume, Mangoma’s legal representative, said there are certain people within the movement who want to see the back of Mangoma, ‘so they could contest his post at Congress.’ He emphasized that his client was the last person to wish for a split in the MDC-T and has become a recluse to avoid being harmed by criminal elements baying for his blood.
‘There are people who are now using his letter to purge him to leave the party…to purge the party of his associates to create a safe passage for the themselves at the next congress,’ claimed Mafume.
He added: ‘All he wanted was to be heard why he authored the letter…but they chose to deny him that opportunity. My client is a democrat who is willing to work with all democrats.’
Mangoma was suspended earlier this month following a meeting of the national council in Harare for allegedly ‘provoking divisions and bringing the movement into disrepute’. The former energy minister wrote a four-page letter to Tsvangirai in January advising him to step down and allow for leadership renewal.
Speaking on SW Radio Africa’s Hidden Story program, Mafume said what his client never anticipated for expressing his views, was the political armageddon that was launched against him.
‘The letter was drafted for discussion; it was put there on the table to come out with a solution. If the people decide otherwise, my client will accept it as a democrat,’ Mafume said.
Asked if the relationship between Mangoma and Tsvangirai has irretrievably broken down, Mafume retorted: ‘He has no problem working with the party leader. That was not even the issue. What he raised were concerns that needed a review…that’s all he raised and nothing else.’
Since the letter was made public Mafume claims that nobody from the MDC-T has sat down and discussed with him the issues that he raised. All he has received has been a ‘bashing from drunken youths’ and being viewed with suspicion.
‘He was charged by the party but as I speak to you it’s almost two weeks and we still haven’t received the charge sheet. What my client has received has been an over-reaction to issues he raised. It clearly shows some infernal minds and infant behaviour among some of our colleagues,’ he said.
COMMENTS
Mr Lawyer,for own information Mangoma’s post became vacant the day he wrote the letter he sold to the press.
You guys are now backtracking after realising that you were fighting a lost cause and your scheme had no takers. You possibly want another chance to be in the executive then destabilize the people’s project from within. Sorry gentlemen, makanyangira yaona. Come next congress, you are out into the political wilderness. You only have two choices after the congress; form your own political party or join Zanu Pf!
What about the pararell structures, the alleged splashing on funds, the divisions and confusion he created within the party structures. You want us to believe members in Mat North, Mat South, Masvingo and Manicaland could be that devided because of a letter. The letter was meant to be the final nail on the coffin of MT unfortunately it failed. We are awake and have to defend the struggle and not MT at all cost.
If he is clever, supposing he listened to this talk show, he must change the lawyer. This is more of mangoma’s spokesman that a legal rep. He is waiting to loot Mangomaks funds, period.
The problem is Mangoma wanted a congress for one person. Targetting Tsvanirai’s position and then we said let’s have a congress for all positions. Asara asara
Mangoma is going to b left in the dock alone.Mafume ws in the Pm’s office.mangoma is stupid.Do u think Mafume is going to sacrifice his Status in Mdc for Mangoma??
Still following Tsvangirai? Hrad of learning. Ask Welshman, he knows all about democracy, not careless sloganeering…just ask Welshman about democracy.