Politics
MDC appears to be on the verge of another split
Former Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was suspended by his party on Saturday, setting the stage for a split in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). MDC secretary general Tendai Biti announced the suspension of Tsvangirai, his deputy Thokozani Khupe and five other top officials accusing them of violating the party’s constitution.
The suspended officials were accused of violating the party’s constitution and running parallel structures. Biti’s group also resolved the suspension of deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma and three other accused of pushing for Tsvangirai’s ouster. Former Water Resources minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said Tsvangirai had been suspended because he proved to be undemocratic.
He stated, “The national executive has decided to suspend the seven pending a tribunal. The suspensions will be formalized.” He also stated, “Their charge sheets are being prepared ad they will appear before a tribunal to answer charges.” Biti’s group said they had lost confidence in Tsvangirai’s leadership.
According to the group’s press release, “The leader Morgan Tsvangirai can no longer be considered as a democrat or comrade in this struggle, is clearly unsuitable and has disqualified himself as a fit and proper patriot with the legitimacy, credibility, ability, decency or honesty of leading and executing the democratic struggle in Zimbabwe.”
However, Tsvangirai’s faction’s rejection of the suspension on Sunday drew hundreds of people in the streets of Harare in a show of support. Suspended MDC spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora told journalists that the suspensions were null and void. He stated, “It is clear that this (Saturday) meeting is a culmination of a sustained programme of both overt and covert operations involving Zanu PF, State security agents, (rival MDC leader) Welshman Ncube and the Zimbabwe Institute.”
Mwonzora pointed out, “The MDC, therefore, wishes to categorically state that the Saturday meeting was a bogus non-event…. In fact, it was a grouping of comic individuals masquerading as the national council.” He also stated, “They have formally formed a party which they are failing to find a name for, but is a political party nevertheless and they have to face the consequences.”
Tsvangirai has been facing a challenge to his leadership since he lost last year’s elections to President Robert Mugabe. Close lieutenants have been calling on him to hand over power to a younger generation. But the veteran politician has rejected the calls saying he would only step down if MDC supporters are no longer happy with his leadership. MDC first split in 2005 after Tsvangirai rejected a vote by his lieutenants to take part in senatorial elections.
Source: The Africa Report
