Tsvangirai in panic mode over defections

MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai is reportedly in panic mode and has sent emissaries to convince Bulawayo legislators who defected to MDC Renewal on Monday to return.

The legislators crossed the floor in protest over the chaotic and undemocratic manner in which the party held their inconclusive Bulawayo congress at the weekend.

The revelations came amid reports that losing candidate in the Bulawayo chairmanship, Matson Hlalo, had filed a complaint about the conduct of the controversial poll which he lost to Deputy Mayor Gift Banda.

Tsvangirai was accused of taking a lead role in rigging on behalf of a faction sympathetic to his deputy Thokozani Khupe where Banda reportedly belongs.

Pumula legislator Albert Mhlanga and colleague Gladys Mathe along with Ward 8 Councillor Sheila Musonda, were unveiled at an MDC Renewal Press conference on Monday after abandoning the MDC-T.

MDC-T organising secretary Nelson Chamisa and deputy national chairman Morgan Komichi reportedly called Mhlanga after the Press conference asking that he and his colleagues consider their position.

Mhlanga, who sources said will be drafted into the MDC Renewal's national executive, yesterday declined to comment referring questions to the MDC Renewal.

"Here they said they want orderly things so I'm not allowed to talk to the Press," he said.

MDC Renewal Team interim chairperson Samuel Sipepa Nkomo confirmed the developments.

"We heard about it. Mhlanga is an adult who can make his own choices. He can choose to be here today and there tomorrow. However, I think Mhlanga left MDC-T not out of emotions but principle," said Sipepa Nkomo.

"If you see them looking for him like this, he must be very important."

Sipepa Nkomo also confirmed that Mhlanga would be drafted into their national executive.

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said Tsvangirai was out of the country and doubted if he had sent emissaries.

"I'm not aware that the president did that. Actually, he is out of the country so I doubt that very much. Some are people who lost elections and as the MDC-T, we believe in the voice of the majority. If you want to circumvent the voice of the majority then you've no place in the MDC-T," he said.

"If you're a genuine cadre and who has a problem, raise it with the leadership of the party. Hlalo has already filed a complaint about the conduct of the elections and we'll handle it in the most impartial way possible. As for Mhlanga, he was confirmed to retain his position so we don't know what his motive is."

Sources told Chronicle that Chamisa called Mhlanga on Monday proposing that he reconsiders his defection but the Pumula legislator insisted that there was nothing to discuss as their decision was final.

"Komichi also called and Mhlanga explained his position and bade him farewell. He refused to be swayed back into the party as he felt that there was nothing to stay for any longer," said a source.

The sources said there was general feeling among Mhlanga and his colleagues that there was no way of restoring sanity in MDC-T as the problem lay with Tsvangirai and Khupe.

"When one has grievances where do they take them when the party is rotten from the head? There is no hope of restoring sanity in that party because Tsvangirai allowed himself to be swayed by factions. He has no spine but just goes with the wind," said a source.