via More calls for early MDC-T congress | SW Radio Africa by Alex Bell on Monday, February 24, 2014
More calls have been voiced for an early MDC-T congress to be held as soon as possible, to end the worsening infighting and leadership renewal debate threatening to tear the party apart.
Since last year’s highly disputed elections, there has been increased pressure for party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to step aside, with critics saying fresh leadership is the key to helping the MDC-T move forward.
The matter came to a head last month when the MDC-T deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma confronted Tsvangirai, detailing in a letter why the party President should step down. Tsvangirai then reportedly challenged the MDC-T national executive on the matter, but an early congress was ruled out.
However the factionalism has steadily worsened, with Mangoma bearing the brunt of anger from Tsvangirai supporters. Over a week ago, Mangoma suffered a bloodied nose and bruises during an attack by party youths who were gathered at Harvest House where a heated meeting of district heads was underway to discuss the restructuring of the party.
Police have since charged MDC-T youth leader James Chidhakwa with assaulting Mangoma after he was arrested on Friday. Chidhakwa appeared in court on Saturday morning after spending a night in police detention before he was remanded in custody.
Meanwhile, both the NewsDay and Daily News newspapers have quoted sources in recent days who have detailed the extent of the worsening factionalism within the party, with the Daily News pointing to international funding as an alleged key aggravating issue. The Daily News on Sunday reported that “MDC rebels, who are pushing for Tsvangirai’s ouster, have been holding secret meetings with diplomats and soliciting for funds to topple the opposition leader.”
NewsDay then reported that some Western diplomats privately met Tsvangirai at his Highlands home in Harare in a bid to “express their concern over intra-party violence and the need for him to allow open debate on leadership renewal.” The paper reported that British ambassador Deborah Bronnert met Tsvangirai at his Highlands home over the weekend to discuss the “unsavoury developments in the party since the violence that erupted at the party headquarters more than a week ago.”
Rodgers Mudarikwa, the Provincial Organising Secretary of the MDC T South Africa External Assembly, said the only way to end the fights and debates was an early congress.
“The only solution is congress…the people must decide the way forward, not individuals in the party,” Mudarikwa told SW Radio Africa.
Mudarikwa said that a democratic solution was the only answer and called for the matter to be resolved as soon as possible, in order for there to be a strong, united opposition force in Zimbabwe.
He said: “It is important to use this opportunity to form a single and formidable opposition. The MDC T must call for a convention like congress, where all its allies and other political parties can contest for positions and create one single opposition party. Opposition politics cannot survive the littering of talent that currently exists.”
COMMENTS
Tsvangirai will never want this to happen.He is now President Handiende, as long as the the party is is called MDC T. “T” For Thuvi.He just wont leave his personal property.
What if he is elected to lead the party once more?
Very true. Most of the MDC leadership is in defensive mode now, following the spectacular rigging they walked into, last year. An early congress is likely to re-elect Tsvangirai. Joining ZANU in the GNU of 2008 was a disasterous decision whose unfolding consequences the MDC may never eventually recover from.
morgan, i don’t think you a bad leader to lead mdc, the problem with u is i think u have blingers, bcause u can’t see what is happening/happened around u for the past 14/15yrs. this why people r saying they need change of leadership. can u pls tell us what happened in all those past g election? I’m sure your ans is they were rigged. so what makes u you think the next general election is not going to be the same as previous ones. u always say u need beat zanu in a democratic way, i bet u now there is noway zanu will will b out of office without using guns. I’m sure this is why these diplomats r now going to those people who r under u behind your back, simply bcause they told u there is noway u will win n election without going to war. they r just looking for someone who will say give us the weapons. and for sure if war is going to start now, mugabe, will b out of zim within days. i don’t know why u r scared of getting weapons for those young ones who wants to free themselves from this monister, even some who r already in army r waiting for that momment. richard, come on work up.
Opposition cannot survive the littering of talents that currently exists’. That says it all.NSW leadership is needed the sooner the better. New ideas and new philosophy. The nation must come first not individual aspirations driven by greed.
Its not just the MDC congress, we need a stakeholder’ s congress ,all inclusive where progressive democratic forces will map the way forward. This issue has become too big for poor Tsvangirai.
Simba Makoni can unify all this mess, dissolve his Mavambo and put him MDC president
Not now. 2016 is a year away. I think MDC must focus on rebuilding from the grassroots. The Biti and Mangoma are tainted Zanoids already and grassroots support will flock from MDC to Zanu Pf. Tsvangirai is the butter holding the slices now bcz Biti is out, Mangoma out, Chamisa too young while mama Khupe is unfortunate because of Mrs Mujuru, zimbabwe is not ready for a female president now
Most of these have merit..@easily fooled, don’t be afraid of change, MDC has been working for it all this time.@ Roving Am. is right more people have to stand up and be counted but sort the corruption first.
fear of the unknown. chinjai leadership muone zvinoitika. some risks are worth trying. its good for people to re strategize and change the gameplay kana zvichikwanisika.
An early congress is what Biti, Mangoma and Chamisa are avoiding like a cancer. They will be beaten by Morgan hands down. Morgan called their bluff and they chickened out. Morgan cant force it either becuase he is also not very sure. @Easily Fooled is right MDC must focus on grass roots and I also think they must fight for the reforms that were not finished in 2013 otherwise the next election is another disaster
Hiya there is need for leadership renewal , and it must be done early ,but my question is how best are they going to outwitty Zanupf on election in near feature ?& mind you if the battle of renewal continues unresolved, remember ZANUpf will be advancing and they will take advantage of this commotion , we need the way foward ,we need a plan which will rescue the mass of Zimbabwe from this mess of severe hardships
Tsvangirai you can’t stem the tide of discontent while it has started to swell. Be man enough and do what Bob has failed to do. Resign and be counted a patriotic and caring father figure of Zimbabwe.
Save is going nowhere .sory Mangoma and Biti.we the people of Zim wl never vote fo mdc again you wl loose Dismally .if tsvangi becomes an independent he wl win.
zanupf is good at fooling people. No more discussions about salarygate and corruption. The focus is now on Tsvangirayi. Mugabe is now smiling.Even journalist fear to cover further on salarygate. Kutya victimisation. My Zimbabwe my poor nation.
It was never agreed that after elections Tsvangirai must leave office whether he win or not. The MDC T must follow it’s constitution. Those who want an early congress at the same time saying they believe in constitutionalism are contradicting themselves.