Tsvangirai celebrates in defeat
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday stood brave rallying his supporters to stay put, and not be discouraged by the massive defeat in the just-ended harmonised elections.
Addressing a half-empty Sa-kubva Stadium in Mutare yesterday during the party's 14th anniversary, Tsvangirai urged supporters not to give up until it dislodged Zanu-PF from power.
He said the MDC-T remained relevant and the biggest platform to bring governance change in Zimbabwe.
"I want to congratulate you all for winning the elections, for voting for change," the MDC-T leader said before a thunderous applause. "But there were thieves who do not want the people of Zimbabwe to be free."
Tsvangirai said his defeat and that of the MDC-T was due to massive rigging by Zanu-PF, claiming this has thrown the whole nation into "mourning and created a serious national crisis."
He said MDC-T remained the answer to the country's problems, hence his message that people should not to be despondent.
Tsvangirai said when the MDC-T was formed, the party knew it was not going to be a walk in the park to unseat Zanu-PF.
"In this struggle, the party will not be held captive by shenanigans such as election rigging," he said.
Tsvangirai said under a Zanu-PF government, the economy and the general livelihood of its citizens has gone under, due to mismanagement and corruption.
He said the MDC-T would continue to use peaceful means to unseat Zanu-PF.
The MDC-T leader said although Zanu-PF was in power, the ruling party had no clear agenda.
He outlined several ways in which the elections were allegedly rigged by Zanu-PF.
Tsvangirai said his party always believe in legitimate elections maintaining that the struggle would be completed through free and credible elections.
"As a party, we have been meeting and engaging the people on the mass line. From today onwards, we will continue coming to your branches and villagers to talk about the way forward," said Tsvangirai. "We want to engage the people, so that they tell us what action we should take. We will be there with you and we will maintain our vision. We shall protect our space."
