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Tsvangirai coup plot collapses
29 Jan 2014 at 08:06hrs | Views
The MDC-T leadership is amenable to the idea of an early congress, but against an extra-ordinary congress, The Zimbabwe Mail has reported.
Constitutionally, the party's congress is due in 2016.
Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora on Monday said there was a difference between the two.
"An extraordinary congress will entail convening an elective congress using previous structures to target a certain structure such as the Standing Committee.
"We are against that, and that is a big no," said Mwonzora.
"However, an early congress will mean a re-constitution, renewal, re-grouping and re-organising the party structures from the lowest to the very top."
Mwonzora's statements come as the debate around the issue of leadership change within the labour backed party gathers momentum, with the latest being deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma calling on MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai to step-aside "for the good of the party".
Mangoma proposed that Tsvangirai could remain influential in the party in a new position called Founding President; but the former ZCTU secretary general is said to have rejected the offer, including a $3 million retirement package.
Tsvangirai's deputy Thokozani Khupe, tipped to take over in an interim position, reportedly issued a statement yesterday ordering the start of "organisational renewal" that party insiders said was a euphemism for preparations for an early congress.
"It is difficult for us to clearly say we are going to congress in 2015, but our structures are readying for an elective gathering," said a national executive member.
A statement issued late yesterday, purportedly from Khupe, but not signed said in part: "The process of organisational renewal, starting with the lower organs of the party, will start as soon as possible.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the organisational renewal will start with the branches, wards, district and provincial structures of the party, culminating in the organisational renewal of the national structures." The statement confirmed Mwonzora's idea of an early congress.
Constitutionally, the party's congress is due in 2016.
Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora on Monday said there was a difference between the two.
"An extraordinary congress will entail convening an elective congress using previous structures to target a certain structure such as the Standing Committee.
"We are against that, and that is a big no," said Mwonzora.
"However, an early congress will mean a re-constitution, renewal, re-grouping and re-organising the party structures from the lowest to the very top."
Mwonzora's statements come as the debate around the issue of leadership change within the labour backed party gathers momentum, with the latest being deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma calling on MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai to step-aside "for the good of the party".
Mangoma proposed that Tsvangirai could remain influential in the party in a new position called Founding President; but the former ZCTU secretary general is said to have rejected the offer, including a $3 million retirement package.
Tsvangirai's deputy Thokozani Khupe, tipped to take over in an interim position, reportedly issued a statement yesterday ordering the start of "organisational renewal" that party insiders said was a euphemism for preparations for an early congress.
"It is difficult for us to clearly say we are going to congress in 2015, but our structures are readying for an elective gathering," said a national executive member.
A statement issued late yesterday, purportedly from Khupe, but not signed said in part: "The process of organisational renewal, starting with the lower organs of the party, will start as soon as possible.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the organisational renewal will start with the branches, wards, district and provincial structures of the party, culminating in the organisational renewal of the national structures." The statement confirmed Mwonzora's idea of an early congress.
Source - zimbabwemail
