'Tsvangirai needs people like Moyo,' says MDC-T members

FORMER Bulawayo deputy mayor Amen Mpofu has pleaded with Gorden Moyo to reconsider his decision to quit as MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairperson.

Moyo announced his resignation last Friday citing "violence, hate language, mudslinging and the pursuit of parochial and personal interests" in the main opposition party.

Mpofu said Moyo was important to the MDC-T and even party leader Morgan Tsvangirai needed people like him.

"A good leader constantly looks at ways of bringing people together and brings happiness to the people — that was Gorden Moyo," Mpofu said.

"When Moyo joined, he was used and failed to protect the province from those who thought they were powerful.

"Later, he refused to be owned. He was a good leader who was very humble and a good listener.

"I would like to appeal to him to reconsider his decision. Tsvangirai still needs people like Gorden. I advise him to rethink his position because he is good for the party."

There were reports that MDC-T officials from Moyo's Makokoba constituency were baying for his blood demanding that he give up his parliamentary seat as well.

However, Moyo was defiant saying the MDC-T structures had no capacity to recall him from the National Assembly because they constituted a minority of people who voted for him last year.

Moyo steered clear of the infighting by taking a sabbatical from MDC-T activities in March.

However, his decision to take a back seat sparked intense speculation that he was in "axed" secretary-general Tendai Biti's camp pushing for Tsvangirai's ouster.

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora on Monday claimed Moyo's depature would not affect the party, saying it had been functioning well during his absence.

He described the former Bulawayo Agenda director as a new comer who did not understand dynamics in the party.

MDC-T organising secretary had no kind words for Moyo, in a development that could already have driven a wedge between the Makokoba MP and the party's leadership.