via Tsvangirai swims in a sea of troubles Zimbabwe Independent by Brian Chitemba/Elias Mambo September 20, 2013
FORMER Prime Minister and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai is currently swimming in a sea of troubles amid calls from within and outside the party for him to resign, as well as an unprecedented revolt against his leadership by the party’s newly elected councillors.
However, Tsvangirai appears determined to resist the wave of growing unpopularity as he insists that he will not step down from the party leadership and is in fact positioning himself to secure a new term to remain at the helm in the 2018 elections.
In an exclusive interview with the Zimbabwe Independent on Wednesday, Tsvangirai insisted he would remain in charge of the MDC-T as long as his party members gave him the mandate to stand as a presidential candidate in the next polls.
He has been leader of the MDC since its formation in 1999 and if given another five-year term at the 2016 congress, he would be president of the party for 21 years.
The former premier contested presidential polls in 2002, 2008 and this year, but failed to unseat President Robert Mugabe, resulting in a spirited push to oust him, with MDC-T treasurer-general Roy Bennett suggesting that he steps down to pave way for leadership renewal.
“Why do we need leadership renewal?” Tsvangirai asked. “To do what? What are the merits and de-merits and what are the pitfalls. Because of a stolen election? It’s neither tactful nor strategic, no, no, no, it cannot be a vote of no confidence from newspapers and analysts. It’s in the interests of the organisation to have an open debate; after all I have said it’s time to talk about leadership renewal.”
He described Bennett’s statement that he resigns as “irresponsible” because he was aware of formal channels to air his views within the party. Tsvangirai was for the first time since the controversial defeat on July 31 speaking out on a number of issues including the raging MDC-T succession debate, election rigging, Sadc’s role in Zimbabwe, Nikuv’s involvement in elections and his marriage affairs.
Tsvangirai said Mugabe won with the assistance of the Chinese and controversial Israel security company, Nikuv, which manipulated the voters’ roll where 850 000 people were double-registered while 115 000 were over 90 years.
To prove that the voters’ roll was shambolic, Tsvangirai said he approached Mugabe on the eve of the elections where he presented complaints in the presence of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo who was the head of the African Union observer mission. Mugabe in turn blamed Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede, he said.
Tsvangirai also threatened to recall the councillors who voted for Zanu PF mayors, before claiming they were paid US$500 bribes each in Chitungwiza while in Victoria Falls, a senior minister allegedly bribed them and a ruling party official also did the same in Mutare.
COMMENTS
To answer Tsvangirai’s questions. He should resign because he has failed to achieve the main objective of the opposition party in all his 12 years + of leadership. He has been outsmarted by Mugabe at every corner, but especially in the last 4 years. It’s not about the elections being stolen, its about him not being smart enough to realise that the elections are being stolen and take appropriate action. He had a chance to press for the reforms that were enshrined in the Global Political Agreement from the time of its formation, but no, he chose to enjoy the comforts of the position of PM until it was too late, and in the process, let down the faithful and loyal members of the MDC. He should resign because he has failed to achieve the performance objectives set for the MDC President, he should resign because there is nothing new that he can offer after 12 years of failure. He should resign because he should not portray Mugabe’s image, of a leader who believes that he is the only messiah for the people of Zimbabwe.
Tsvangirai has done his part as the opposition leader, its time for him to pass the baton, we thank him for what he has done.
Taking responsibilty for the losses and stepping down may be the best thing to do at this juncture for the sake of the party. Hiding behind excuses wont do, decisions where made for better or fo worse to participate in the election and those who made the decisions should be resonable and accept the consequences of those decisions.
There iz no need for morgan to resign because he is the only opponent of zanu pf. Imagine since 1980… There is still hope in 2018
jaytee, that is illogical. Arguing Tsvangirai is the only zanu p.f. opponent is as erroneous as claiming Mugabe single handedly liberated Zimbabwe.
How old will Tsvangiari be in 2018? No one is indespensable. That is the Mugabe way and would appear Tsvangirai is following in the exact same footsteps.
The very questions Tsvangirai poses show how incompetent Tsvangirai; “leadership renewal for what?” That is a very dumb question indeed!
“Movement for Democratic CHANGE”
So let there be a change of leadership, prove to me and all Zimbabweans that You, Tsvangirai, are indeed democratic.
Your two terms in office were great and in fact you comprehensively won the 2008 elections.
But your recent defeat whilst sleeping or partying too much whilst in office as prime minister, is the profound message for you to go. Go now or the MDC will die the death that all other opposition parties have suffered in the past.
I concur with people who say Tsvangarai must step aside cause in 2008 people of Zim gave MDC a mandate to rule but they allowed Mugabe to rule again
Again MDC accepted useless cabinet posts,compromised on Global Polital Agreement and enjoyed gravy train
Lastly they have committed suicide by deploying all top leadership in government that led MDC to collapse
Leadership renewal is essential. It may be a better leader or a worse leader. That is not the point. Renewal and change is the point. A whole new stream of energy becomes available upon such renewal.
it does not need a robotics professor to see .its not abt the channel used bt the message SAVE IMBOZORORAI u gain more by doing what i am telling u.