Tsvangirai faces party revolt, Biti aligned faction gives him headaches

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) leader Morgan Tsvangirai found his party's election rally in Rusape, in Manicaland province, boycotted by the party's provincial leadership on Tuesday in protest against his entering into a coalition with Simba Makoni.

Tsvangirai asked his candidate, Patrick Sagandira, to withdraw his candidature in favour of Mr Makoni. This move raised the ire of the province's leadership.

While Tsvangirai was addressing the rally, MDC-T's provincial information and publicity secretary, Pishai Muchauraya, was addressing another rally in protest - barely 30km from Tsvangirai's own rally.

Provincial executive members, led by chairman Julius Magarangoma, snubbed the rally in Rusape.

Sources said the Manicaland provincial executive members, who boycotted the rally, had the backing of secretary-general Tendai Biti, who was planning to take over from Tsvangirai during the party's congress in 2016.

"The provincial executive members got an instruction from Biti to boycott Tsvangirai's rally in Makoni Central. Biti is against the coalition and wants to humiliate Tsvangirai at all costs," they said.

Tsvangirai was heckled by the crowd, however, who openly told him that their choice was Mr Sagandira and not Makoni.

An adamant Mr Tsvangirai said there was no reason why Mr Sagandira would defy his instructions. "I called Sagandira and had a word with him ... (He) thought I was joking with him and has remained adamant."

Mr Sagandira said he would not stand down, which could lead to a split vote in the constituency. In the Chikanga-Dangamvura constituency, human rights lawyer Arnold Tsunga has also refused to step down to make way for Giles Mutsekwa, an ally of Mr Tsvangirai.