via Tsvangirai badly broke – The Zimbabwe Independent December 12, 2014
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai may be living behind the high walls of the posh Highlands home he moved into during his tenure as prime minister during the unity government (2009-2013), but life is not a bed of roses anymore for the veteran politician who has since extended his begging bowl to the donor community seeking funds for party and personal upkeep.
The sun seems to have set on the opposition politician ever since his controversial defeat in the 2013 elections by long-time foe President Robert Mugabe in polls the opposition alleged were rigged.
Despite living large during the inclusive government era, Tsvangirai is said to be literary broke to the extent that he can accept any amount offered to him by his close associates.
Party insiders also said some of his legislators are contributing US$50 per month for his upkeep. “Since his defeat in last year’s elections, Tsvangirai, and our party, has been struggling financially. We are really broke.
The party is penniless and can’t afford the wage bill anymore, which is around plus, minus US$40 000. Despite claims that our members and supporters will fund the party, it’s clear they can’t afford to do that. People are already struggling and suffering due to the current economic problems and have no money to fund a party,” a senior MDC-T official said.
“That’s why we as a party are now reengaging donors looking for funding. As for Tsvangirai himself, he is one of the worst affected party leaders because he has no professional qualifications to fall back on. He is badly broke and is relying on friends and party members for help to get the barest means of support and sustenance. He is not destitute but he is living a hand-to-mouth existence, getting just enough to live on. MPs are supposed to contribute US$50 a month towards his upkeep, but some pay and some don’t. Things are very hard.”
However, Tsvangirai is not alone in that predication. Most Zimbabweans are in a similar situation as the economy continues to nosedive due to government’s leadership and policy failures.
During the coalition government era, Tsvangirai traversed the length and breadth of the world, mixing it up with rich and famous among world leaders as well as business tycoons celebrities and hung out in luxurious lodgings.
At one time Tsvangirai hogged the limelight after reports he had been given a whooping US$500 000 from Britain’s Westminster Foundation.
He reportedly took out US$300 000 from that amount to pay former wife Locardia Karimatsenga Tembo in an out of court settlement, although some reports claimed the money came from Botswana.
Tsvangirai subsequently married Elizabeth Macheka and treated her to a lavish honeymoon in the United Kingdom that included a boat cruise on London’s famed River Thames following a controversial customary wedding in September 2012.
The free-spending Tsvangirai even earned the nickname “Legend of Seas” at a time ordinary Zimbabweans were living in abject poverty after taking a girlfriend Nosipho Shilubane on an expensive seafaring on a boat cruise during a holiday in Seychelles. The cruise ship was called Legend of the seas.
Tsvangirai was linked to a string of girlfriends at the height of his power and prosperity.
But the end of the inclusive government following the controversial 2013 elections resulted in a downturn in Tsvangirai’s fortunes with reports that the party was broke and failing to pay its workers, many of whom were subsequently laid off.
Even his personal finances have deteriorated so much that maintaining the plush Highlands mansion is now difficult, although party insiders said Tsvangirai is desperate to keep it. “He is now struggling to pay his bills; even for groceries, fuel and airtime. He is going through a hard time,” another party official said.
MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said yesterday the party president is not a destitute case that he should be looked after by his legislators and well-wishers.
“Such rumours are hogwash; our president is not destitute. He is party president and it is not the duty of the legislators to look after his upkeep,” Gutu said.
“We are not seeking donors for that. We are a party that is busy restructuring and that cannot be done without financial resources.”
Gutu also said the legislators do not even have money for their own upkeep because they do not get what they should from this cash-strapped government. — Staff Writers.
COMMENTS
This article sets forth the things that interested him whilst in power. He had no time for the peoples business; he was totally immersed in sensual pleasures that money could bring and dilligently pursued the haunting musky smell of the crotch of the underwear of corruption. He was mesmerized! Had not the election been stolen from him by a lecherous old criminal it would have been ‘his time to eat’, and then he would have promptly morphed into another african despot. But Zim narrowly escaped this time from being eaten by the lion, but alas, was eaten by the crocodile.
Tipei account number yaSave mari ipinde.Mugabe kana achifunga kuti achaenda nenyika he must think again, my friends here in diaspora are ready to donate.
Yes we are
No pity should be given to Mr Tsvangirai, he allowed Zanu to stitch the country up with this false GNU all for the sake of a Merc and loose women. He is an idiot and one must not forget he was actually a member of Zanu pf – Enough said.
being broke is not something new money comes and go
Now that Theresa has taken over as Treasurer for the party, they are really going to be broke. Any monies obtained from foolish donors willmysteriously dissapear intgo her numbered accounts. Watch this space. MT is a fool, he had everything going for him but screwed (Being the operative word) it up. Nobody will touch him or his party now
My prayer is that all those who have lived large at the expense of poor Zimbabweans be brought down to mother earth. Tsvangirai was quick to forget where he came from and what personal qualities had made him the people’s favorite. Why in the world was he spending so much money on women and leaving in a million dollar mansion?
Politics is different from unionism whereby they easily cheap the masses by promising all sort of things whilst milking them down with their monthly contributions.I have seen some of his lucky lot who made it to parliament,they are now driving around with these news cars doing nothing to promote the welfare of the masses.
When you ask them why they accepted these expensive cars whilst their supporters are failing to get a meal,they quickly drive off in total shame because they were not elected on merit but on which party they belonged.We had limited parties to choose from.
Let them suffer from poverty,maybe they will think logically in the future not like simple trade unionists and cheap lawyers.They messed our dear lives.
Good points there Mixed Race.
Sadly, our people expect anyone in a position of authority to live lavishly.
What a paradox, eh?
What proof is there that Tsvangirai is broke? These stories created on the editor desk show how moral bankrupt Zimbabwe is . The wrong things are gloried. The Herald set the tone in destroying Mujuru while promoting the murderer and now the independent is doing the same, as way promoting biti/ncube party .Please report facts.The MDCT party is living on hand to mouth budget but nowhere have facts indicated that Tsvangirai the person is broke give us a break please.
very correct.
tsvangirai as a person, has his package as a former PM.
he will never starve as alleged.
if MDC-T were to request for funding from party supporters many people are willing to give. they should provide an econet number
and money will pour in.
the true position is that zpf is broke with debts of over US$10million.