THE recent MDC-T boardroom fights that led to the suspension of deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma last Friday could split the faction-riddled opposition party after three provincial leaders were also purged for reportedly tarnishing the party’s image. STAFF REPORTERS
Mangoma and the three provincial leaders reportedly aligned to him were suspended on charges of tarnishing the party’s reputation.
Analysts said the latest purge — which was confirmed by MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday — could trigger a split reminiscent of the 2005 fallout which led to the formation of the Welshman Ncube-led MDC and the now defunct Job Sikhala-led MDC99 faction.
Since last week, three provincial party leaders in Manicaland and Matabeleland North have been suspended on allegations of posting “abusive” remarks about internal party fights on social media platforms.
These are Manicaland provincial chairperson Julius Magarangoma, provincial spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya and Matabeleland North chairperson Sengezo Tshabangu.
Mwonzora said the trio was suspended for posting “abusive” Facebook messages about the party. Former Mutare West MP Shuah Mudiwa is now the new spokesperson for Manicaland.
“They made Facebook postings using abusive language and we don’t want that. We don’t want our officials to do that,” Mwonzora told NewsDay yesterday.
Asked why the party was only investigating Muchauraya and Magarangoma for their posts on social media while not probing Harare provincial spokesperson Obert Gutu and Charlton Hwende (Mashonaland West national executive member), who have also taken party wars to the social media fighting in Tsvangirai’s corner, Mwonzora said: “We don’t allow abuse of anybody by our officials and I will talk to the people involved.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Commenting on MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti, who blasted the party for suspending Mangoma, Mwonzora said: “We are very sure the secretary-general uttered these statements in a moment of anger and frustration, we are sure once he cools down, the good lawyer in him will prevail. The decision was made by the national council and no individual can reverse that.”
Mangoma was charged for publicly urging party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to step down. He also faces charges of making unauthorised Press statements and putting the name of the party into disrepute. The former Energy minister is now set to appear before the party’s yet-to-be-assembled disciplinary committee, but Biti distanced himself from the decision, describing it as a legal nullity.
Last week, Biti wrote to the party’s provincial structures attacking what he termed an ongoing purge of leaders perceived to be opposed to Tsvangirai’s continued leadership.
Biti also denounced the use of violence to resolve differences and the stiffling of debate in the MDC-T.
Muchauraya yesterday confirmed receipt of the suspension letter signed by organising secretary Nelson Chamisa. He, however, dismissed the suspensions as a nullity, a move that will likely trigger another showdown in the province.
“We have thrown that letter into the dustbin,” Muchauraya said. “They handed over a letter to our chairman, but we agreed that the letter was null and void. It’s useless and we are disregarding it. Magarangoma remains the provincial leader and will be operating from the provincial headquarters.”
MDC-T bigwigs loyal to Tsvangirai have reportedly begun angling themselves for top posts in anticipation of the departure by expulsion of Mangoma, Biti, youth assembly boss Solomon Madzore, his secretary-general Promise Mkwananzi and a few targeted provincial leaders believed to be pushing for Tsvangirai’s ouster.
Highly-placed sources said the party’s intelligence was compiling a dossier to nail down both Biti and Mangoma accusing them of conniving with Zanu PF negotiators during the era of the coalition government and in the run-up to the July 31 2013 harmonised elections.
Since the fights broke out last month, Tsvangirai has held three campaign rallies in Harare where top party members have publicly denounced Mangoma and Biti labelling them traitors.
These included MDC-T women’s assembly chairperson Theresa Makone, national executive member Morgan Femai and deputy national chairman Morgan Komichi.
Yesterday, Mkhwananzi, who has also fallen out of favour with Tsvangirai’s inner circle, spoke publicly for the first time against the disturbances rocking the opposition party.
“Constructive criticism has been and continues to be viewed and treated as rebellion.
“The rules and regulations enunciated by the party`s constitution have been bastardised to the dustbins of history and the sole will of Tsvangirai and the sycophants that surround him has taken over as the order of the day.
“This is a very dangerous trajectory for a movement that not only provided enormous hope for the people of Zimbabwe, but one which claimed to be a big church of divergent ideas.”
