Vicious infighting, factionalism, tribalism, regionalism mars MDC-T congress

The MDC faction led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday emerged from a bruising congress deeply divided by cut-throat battles, factionalism and internal strife, characterised by ugly scenes of violence and threats of expulsion.

Jostling for top positions in the fractious MDC-T hit fever pitch before the main elections yesterday, as senior officials engaged in wrangles, backbiting and vicious infighting to secure positions.

The congress, held in Bulawayo, was preceded by acts of violence and intimidation which forced the national executive and congress to resolve to expel the perpetrators.

MDC-T leader Tsvangirai told the congress that the architects and executors of violence were known and would be expelled.

"We know those people causing violence; we have records and pictures which show the people who were causing problems," he said.

"As MDC we don't tolerate violence, we know there are some party leaders who were sponsoring this violence and they will also face expulsion and will be investigated thoroughly.

"We have set up an independent commission of inquiry to do a thorough investigation."

The congress, which ended yesterday, was widely seen as a democratic test for the MDC-T and Tsvangirai.

It was also viewed as a barometer of the party's preparedness for the national elections and its ability to lead the country effectively.

Vicious fights for positions and influence were mainly concentrated within the top party structures, especially among members of the standing committee, which includes Tsvangirai (president), Thokozani Khupe (deputy president), Lovemore Moyo (chairman), Tendai Biti (secretary general), Tapiwa Mashakada (deputy secretary general), Roy Bennett (treasurer), Elton Mangoma (deputy treasurer), Elias Mudzuri (organising secretary), Morgan Komichi (deputy organising secretary), Nelson Chamisa (information and publicity), Theresa Makone (women chairman) and Thamsanqa Mahlangu (youth leader).

Tsvangirai was only one who retained his post unopposed.

Bennett was initially opposed, although Mangoma and Sekai Holland later withdrew from the race to fight it out for the deputy treasurer's position.

As the contests intensified party officials went for broke and threw everything, including regionalism and tribalism, into the fray. Tribalism and factionalism made the fight for positions even uglier.

For instance, the fight for MDC-T chairmanship between Moyo and Lucia Matibenga degenerated into a tribal battle.

The result of all this fierce infighting and dirty politics was to leave the party badly fractured and reeling from exacerbated factionalism and deep internal divisions, which will need time to heal before the coming elections.

Supporedly held every 'five years', the congress is the supreme organ of the MDC-T and brings together all members of the national council, the women and youth wings, provincial executive committees, the chairman, secretary, organising secretary and treasurer from each district executive committee, provincial and district levels of the national assemblies of women and youth and external assemblies, the chairman of each ward executive committee and party MPs, mayors and chairmen of local authorities.