Tsvangirai fails to turn up for the Gwanda rally

THE electorate in Matabeleland South has accused MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai of taking the region for granted after he cancelled a rally in the province at the last minute, for the second time this year.

Supporters gathered at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda on Sunday and waited in vain for Mr Tsvangirai.

After singing and chanting party slogans in the sweltering heat for more than five hours, an entourage led by the party's national chairperson, Mr Lovemore Moyo, arrived and announced that their leader would not be part of the proceedings after all.

The party's national event was then changed to a provincial rally.

A number of supporters who spoke to reporters after the event said they were disappointed by Mr Tsvangirai's apparent lack of interest in the province.

"This is the second time he has done this. He did not show up for a rally here in April and he has done it again today. We wish to meet him but he continues to let us down," said the disgruntled supporter.

Another supporter said the MDC-T leader should respect the electorate in the province if he was serious about winning the forthcoming elections.

"He should not take us for granted. He should respect us because when elections are held, he will come here for our votes. The least he could have done was to tell us that he would not be able to make it in good time," said a supporter who declined to be named.

Addressing the crowd, that was left after the rumour filtered that Mr Tsvangirai was not coming, Mr Moyo said the MDC-T supporters were too docile.

"MDC-T supporters are too soft-hearted and forgiving. How can you let (President) Mugabe remain President of the country after Tsvangirai beat him in the presidential elections in 2008? If someone slaps you on the cheek, you should not turn the other cheek, but hit back with all you have got," said Mr Moyo.

"We did not enter the unity Government out of choice, but we stepped in to alleviate the suffering of the people. However, as long as Zanu-PF is still breathing, there will be no progress in the country. The MDC-T is in Government, but it is not the Government. We are in a system that is not working," said Mr Moyo.

He said although the party was sure elections would not be held in the near future, MDC-T supporters should start gearing up for them.

"Even though elections will not be held soon, let us prepare for them. Whatever Mugabe says, he cannot set an election date without consulting Tsvangirai. Mugabe no longer has the power he used to have. MDC-T is now part of Government, so we can refuse if Mugabe unilaterally sets a date for elections," he said.

Mr Moyo said the party would push for the perpetrators of the Gukurahundi atrocities that left about 20 000 people dead in Matabeleland and the Midlands dead to be brought before the international courts to answer for their crimes.