via MDC-T purges party ‘rebels’ – NewsDay Zimbabwe February 19, 2014
THE MDC-T’s national executive is planning to purge all party bigwigs accused of pushing for party leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s ouster, NewsDay has learnt.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the planned move, but declined to identify the targeted members.
“Dispclinary action will be taken against everyone who went to the Press without authority, not only (deputy treasurer-general Elton) Mangoma, but all the people who went to the Press. This was the recommendation of the national executive of the party in January,” Mwonzora said.
However, sources close to Tsvangirai’s office told NewsDay yesterday that the purge was targeting Mangoma, secretary-general Tendai Biti, national youth secretary-general Promise Mkwananzi and youth chairman Solomon Madzore, among others.
Incidentally, Mangoma, Mkwananzi and Biti were assaulted by youths allegedly aligned to Tsvangirai following a meeting at the party headquarters in Harare on Saturday.
The youths accused the trio of campaigning for Tsvangirai to rescind his post.
Others who have come out in the open calling for leadership renewal in the MDC-T are exiled party treasurer-general Roy Bennett and national executive members Eddie Cross and Iain Kay.
National youth spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo also confirmed the planned disciplinary action, saying Mkwananzi would be taken to task for issuing a statement contrary to the position of the youth assembly on leadership renewal.
“The party’s disciplinary committee will work on Mkwananzi for spreading lies to the people of Zimbabwe. What he said, he spoke as an individual and not representing the youths, so action will be taken on him,” Hlatywayo said.
However, Mkwananzi yesterday insisted that his remarks were in line with a resolution agreed to by party youths.
“We don’t make resolutions as individuals and we can’t name people in resolutions and the statement I issued as the secretary-general was official,” he said.
Mkwananzi accused Mwonzora of lying that Zanu PF youths were involved in the weekend beatings at Harvest House.
“The first step is to admit that we have a problem because I am their leader and I know those who beat me up,” Mkwananzi said.
“The reason why we have not gone to the police is we know what they did was criminal and unlawful, but we still have confidence that the internal structures of the party can be able to deal with the issue. We have, however, not received anything from the leaders asking us to present a report of what happened, not even a phone call to check.”
Meanwhile, Tsvangirai will be headed for Bulawayo soon in a bid to consolidate his grip at the helm of the party following weekend clashes in Harare.
National organising secretary Nelson Chamisa yesterday said the planned trip to Bulawayo was top of the party’s agenda as it “was a liberated zone”.
COMMENTS
Mr Chamisa your intelligence branch is misleading you because you are fooling yourself if you still thinking that you have all the support here in BYO.Your local representatives like Ms Khupe must tell you the truth that the people in Mat have lost trust in your losing party with no current direction.We gave you a chance to change things but you messed it due to leadership greediness and poor planning.
We reject any party which uses any form of violence to achieve its objectives because we know what violence brings to the community.We went through the worst violence in this country. This is why the other party has failed to break our spirit of peace and unity.
Mr Mkwananzi you know our policy here in Mat ,therefore its time for you to stop associating with these power hungry leaders before its too late.Violent people do not know what is apology,its not in their nature,so forget about phone call from them instead they will send more guys to attack you.
They don’t have any intelligence let alone an ‘intelligence branch’
Tsvangirai has got no idea on how to deal with ZANU. He want ZANU to invite him for another coalition. He is also praying Mujuru will take over.Non of the above will happen.
Most of the thinkers are dumping him. You will see more blundering. If he is not carefull ,he will be another forgotten street pauper.
Resign. we need new blood to carry the struggle toits finale.
Most of the apple still want Tsvangirayi. Who is Mangoma and company to make a coup to the present leadership without consulting the grassroots. Its a circus that someone can just treat apple like that.
Nesbit, from what you say expresses what an ignoramous you are. Your zanu-style intolerance turns a letter from Mangoma to Tsvangirai into a coup? Fortunately some of us are not stupid and we can see right through your ranting. A little education on the meaning of democracy might help you, unless you are completely clueless
I regret to say that Morgan is yesterdays man. He had it all going for him but surrounded himself with people who were at best incapable and at worst working against him. He would not take sound advise from those who quite frankly knew better but supported him and admired his bravery and drive. He lived in a dream world believing that he actually had some power where in truth he was being lead along by the nose by Mugabe,SADC and AU. Now he is resorting to violence in the time honoured tradition of Zim politics. If there is any hope of the MDC surviving he must got and quickly before he does further damage.
Forget it. MDC is dead. Give us another party.
U can write yr hogwash we are nw in the trenches hunting for Rebels.
Trenches ?? You certainly aint serious. Tswangison is just another “Specialist In failure” I am totally against ZPF but now lets try another formula than one that has proven it doesnt work. How times we must we keep on trusting Tswangirayi and his moves. He cant do it and will never ever win period. Somebody take over please!!!
You’ve been watching the Chelsea Manager making speeches.
And whilst you are doing that, the Zanu government is mobilizing its resources and relations with the international community. By the time you are done there will be no room for you at the table , when you have nothing to offer.
Whats a rebel?
Those “rebels” are the only ones with any real support – purge them and watch the party die. Right now MDC-T with Tsvangari leading it going nowhere very fast. Leadership renewal not purging is the only way forward
Mangoma and Biti are light years ahead of Tsvangirai. It was them who put him there but he blew it by falling for those ZANU women. Duh.
The people must democravy a chance.Let the congress take place in 2016.Whoever wins will take the predidemce.Vana vaMangoma,Biti,Mudzuri,Benett,Eddie Cross.isai mazita enyu kuCongress.Kana vanhu vachikudai vachakuvhotersi.Hatidi vanhu vanoita seZANU-PP yakaita coup vakatorera vaNdabaningi Sithole chigaro chake muZanu-PF.We don’t want History to repeat it’s self.
Only an elective congress can clear the air around leadership renewal. We must either wait for 2016 or push for an earlier one. The MDC T will survive beyond this rebellion.
This party failed to Win Elections nt becoz of Morgan,Biti and Mangoma are the top guys so they failed also.Morgan is not running that Party Single handedly so they are al failures.whos Project are they on ??let the challenger throw his Name in the Ring.Biti wl never challenge Morgan ,Mangoma worse is just a disabled wth money from Donors we dont count him ,he is already gone b4 the Congress,the challengers are already in Panic mode they wer shown hw tough the Game is .they nw need billions of dollars to buy the structures bt Gues what after that their money wl go down the drain they wont succeed the structures in these cming month wl al be filled wth Morgans guys and the moto is Idyai ChiBAG.SORY MAGENTS I repeat bring yr donkey so that we see it pamwe tingachinja.Sory kwazvo vehama
MDC’s support does not come from Biti or Mangoma’s houses,its from the electorate. If the majority are saying Morgan must stay why not? Who said that Biti is irreplaceable? Biti is actually benefiting from Tsvangirai’s leadership,on his own he can not win the hearts of the majority of voters. He can not lead a party. He has his ambitions yes but he must wait for the right time. The sooner those bandits are kicked out of the MDC the better,so the party can rebuild with true cadres who are not swayed by greed and being used by zanu to destabilise the people’s project.
You must not provoke in the name of democracy,mangoma. SAVE vane right to protect his dignity.ko form another party dziwande ka!!
If the man has failed on numerous counts to get change then he should have the honour to “fall on his sword” (metaphorically speaking)
TSVANGIRAI and his failed leadership Must GO & GO NOW if the MDC is to have any relevance in the future.
The last thing the people want is another self important dictator.
Let’s do what is right according to the constitution of the party. Are there term limits? If so, then they are there for a reason. It’s not a popularity contest. It’s about the role of law. If time is up, then time is up. If it’s not, then it’s not.
In the same way we hate Bob for clinging to power and considering himself immortal, so shall we hate those who follow suit. It’s often better to leave when you still have the respect of the people. We know you’re a founding father, we’ll always listen to your advice which is borne of experience.
Purging people who ask questions makes you like Zanu PF, where they let Bob steer the gravy train, even when all can see its headed for a monumental failure at the hands of those they treat with impunity.
Your opponents are already preparing for next election whilst you are fighting over a few bones they’ve left over. You’re missing previous time, and with it, the confidence of the people.
Slowly, we’re seeing in the MDC everything we’ve come to hate about Zanu PF.