via MDC-T on frantic begging spree | The Herald August 30, 2014
MDC-T is struggling to raise money for its congress set for October and has extended the begging bowl to international well-wishers.
Sources said potential financiers have not been forthcoming. MDC-T is broke after it was dumped by traditional Western donors after a humiliating defeat by Zanu-PF in last year’s harmonised elections.
MDC-T spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, on Thursday said the failure by Treasury to release money to political parties under the Political Parties Finance Act, put their preparations in disarray.
He declined to disclose how much the MDC-T required for congress.
Another party senior executive member, Mr Charlton Hwende, said they would appeal to international well wishers through some money transfer agencies to finance the congress.
“Treasury has not given us money so we are relying on subscriptions and other ways of fundraising,” he said. “That has affected us big time. We must be doing certain things now and even accommodation for our delegates we have to look for another plan because we could not afford certain standards of accommodation.
“But I can assure you that the delegates will be accommodated.”
Mr Hwende confirmed on his Facebook page that his party’s accounts were in red.
“We are left with just 70 days before our historic congress without the rebels and in line with our new approach of funding our own struggle, we will soon be launching an appeal for cash donations and in kind towards the congress,” he said.
“We are busy finalising the pay pal, EcoCash and Mukuru.com platforms. Those who would like to pledge in kind inbox me so that we can link you with the treasurer-general Mai Theresa Makone.”
Mr Mwonzora confirmed the congress would amend the party’s constitution, a move viewed by critics as a ploy by the party’s leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai to centralise power in his office.
Mr Mwonzora said the amendments were aimed at democratising the constitution and making it more workable.
He said a committee set up to gather public views on the proposed amendments had concluded its consultations and would table them to the national council soon.
Mr Mwonzora said the party was already conducting elections at grassroots level while nominations for elected positions would be held early October.
“We have completed all branch congresses countrywide and we are now doing ward congresses after which districts will follow,” he said.
“Provincial congresses will be completed in September followed by nominations for elected positions in October.”
The MDC-T congress is scheduled for Harare from October 29 to 31.
COMMENTS
Perhaps Mugabes can donate 100 cattle. Mujuru/go no 10000 huku. Mnangaga 100 tons sadza like they did for zpf gatherings recently ??????
Sorry to ALL MDC warring factions. After you turned chicken at the 2008 erections and sold out at the last hurdle you won’t even get a breadcrumb as donation. I would be generous to woza and yoza (youth of Zimbabwe are arising). You grandstanders dishonored your/our martyrs.
You speak for yourself Avenger,
Please give us the bank account details I want to make my US$20 contribution though not a member. Why? MDC-T is the only current vibrant opposition party in Zimbabwe, not Zunde. They need the Zimbabwe people support to keep Zanu on the run. If Zanu is left with no one chasing them they will have a feast on us.
In the functioning democratic societies no one party ever gets more than 55 percent and it only happens in Africa mostly. Lets all contribute for the survival of opposition in Zimbabwe so as to emolliate our dictatorship. Even if you are a Zanu contribute for Mugabe to treat you well and keep giving you the bread crumbs.
Give me the donation link mukuru.com
Have to agree with Avenger. Mbeki put pressure on Tsvangerai to sign up to the unity government but the ultimate decision was Morgan’s . He gave legitimacy to Mugabe after a farcical election!
So if Tsvangirai had not gone into GNU, Zimbabwe problems could have been solved? Its easier to analyse and talk things from hindsight.
Its a choice between 34years of blatant open ended evil Zanu-Pf and a naive mildly – tested lesser evil MDC-T. choice is would you rather the status quo prevails? Is the devil you know better than the one you don’t? Or is 34 years more than once bitten twice shy time to test the new waters? Was the experience of GNU a learning curve for MDC? Given a chance did they learn anything? Did Zanu -Pf learn anything from GNU and the near fall from the throne in 2008? Clearly not? Is MDC young and malleable when compared to ZPF old and set in their ways?
So many questions but a decision has to be made for the survival of the next generation.
Hands up.. Who wants to pay for Tsvangirai’s fancy cars, Mansion maintenance and his gold digging wife’s shopping trips?
mdc must make it clear how all peace loving zimbabweans can make contributions to the party for any reason at any time from anywhere forget about donors its our duty as zimbabweans to fight this evil government,if a million zimbabweans contribute a dollar each for the congress and $10.00 at election time the party whould not be cash straped WAKE UP.
With Theresa MAKONE looking after the money, NOBODY in their right mind will donate a cent. I have known that Morgan was a fool for a long time, but to give the purse strings to Theresa is insanity, what ever they beg borrow or steal will dissapear.
Albert you are misguided why you are an enemy of democracy if you not intrested its your choice may be you already donating to zanu pf dont lecture zimbabweans on that one
Why did it take the party so long to tap into the diaspora money source? We have been asking for easy reliable ways to remit money to the democratic movement back home – on a regular basis.