Coalition talks spark violence within MDC-T

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai whose whirlwind provincial tours have failed to garner popular support for his desire to engage into coalition talks with other opposition parties ahead of the 2018 plebiscite, has reportedly  unleashed his trusted militant youth league  to intimidate party members to submitting to the idea.

The party's National Youth League Assembly Chairperson Happymore Chidziva is said to be coordinating the violence.

According to reports, this comes in the wake of a public statement by party's Vice President, Thokozani Khupe, saying the MDC-T did not need any partners to dislodge ZANU PF in Matabeleland Provinces.

Khupe reportedly said the opposition only needed partners in Mashonaland provinces.

Tsvangirai who is soliciting support of the provincial structures in favour of the coalition has faced some immense resistance from the three Matabeleland provinces and some greater sections of the Midlands.

Sources said Chidziva  since has taken it upon himself to whip into line all those against the support of the coalition talks.
An MDC-T Youth League member said Chidziva has ordered all the youths assemblies to support the Tsvangirai instigated coalition talks.

"The Youth League is set to accompany Morgan Tsvangirai in his final leg of the tour of provinces to show their solidarity for the proposed coalition talks," said the source.

Chidziva "strongly condemned Thokozani Khupe's sentiments against the coalition," added the source.

Sources say most MDC-T Youth League members  in the provinces so far visited were against the coalition plan.

"What you have now is a situation where party members have got to be intimidated into submitting to the idea of the coalition talks," said the source.