MDC-T Bulawayo province in crisis - Obert Gutu

MDC-T national spokesperson, Obert Gutu has admitted that Bulawayo province is rocked by tense infighting.

This is after MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai was forced to call off a provincial meeting in Bulawayo after rival factions booed and heckled each other in his presence.

Tempers flared after MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairperson, Gift Banda was booed by a group of youths aligned to former chairperson, Matson Hlalo.

"At the lodge (name supplied), there was chaos. Senior members, who are legislators, ferried youths to the venue and protested outside. While the protests where going on, he (Tsvangirai) met hell inside the meeting room," a source said.

"Banda was booed when asked to address, as some members still feel he is not their legitimate chairman. Tsvangirai had to call off the meeting to contain the explosive situation."

Said Gutu, "President Morgan Tsvangirai's meetings in Bulawayo were a resounding success. The entire leadership of the party is fully behind our leader," he said.

"Some Zanu PF agents might have attempted to disrupt some of the meetings, but this was a very inconsequential disturbance.

"The meetings that were addressed by our party leader were very well-attended and the deliberations were extremely fruitful. Bulawayo province remains an MDC-T stronghold and in a free and fair election, we will win all the Parliamentary seats, as well as all the wards.

"There are no rifts in the party leadership in Bulawayo province. Of course, here and there party cadres might have different opinions on various matters, but that should be expected in a big and democratic political party such as the MDC-T."