'I will not quit,' says Tsvangirai

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai Tuesday said he will not quit as MDC-T president as long as he has the backing of the people.
Responding to a story published in The Zimbabwe Mail on Monday that he had demanded $7 million to step down as the president of the MDC-T, Tsvangirai said he would never put a price to his role in leading the country's democratic movement.
Close Tsvangirai confidants at the weekend claimed that the former premier was, as part of his package, initially offered $3 million to establish an institute for democratic governance and social development. The confidants claimed the former premier asked for an extra $4 million to buy the Highlands government house he is staying in.
But in a letter by his lawyers Atherstone & Cook, Tsvangirai profusely denied ever making such demands to anyone. He did not explain whether the idea for the establishment of the institute for democratic governance was ever mooted.
"Our client has instructed us to make it clear to you that at no point did he ever demand $7 million or any amount for that matter as consideration for stepping down his position as president of the party," wrote the lawyers. 
"We are instructed to make it quite clear to you that for as long as he still enjoys support of the people, he has no intention of abandoning the people in their struggle for democracy in this country. In the circumstances our client cannot and will never put a price tag for the role entrusted on him by the people who have voted him as president of the party."
The veteran trade unionists said he felt "extremely offended" by the suggestion that he had demanded $7 million to quit and was potrayed as "a leader with no principles and in particular a leader who sacrifices the hope and trust bestowed upon him by the people for monetary and personal gains".
In the past three weeks there had been a massive push from hawks in the MDC-T for Tsvangirai to step down. Deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma penned a damning advisory letter demanding that Tsvangirai quit as party president to pave way for an elective congress.
Mangoma, in his position paper, also suggested the establishment of an "institute of governance" and creation of a position for Tsvangirai that he called "the founding president" if the opposition leader declared his intention to leave.
A donor organisation "name withheld" has been fingered in the move to soft land Tsvangirai.  In an emotive and stormy MDC-T national executive meeting held last week in the ensuing fallout, Mangoma was reportedly stripped of his power, with Tsvangirai assuming all party fundraising powers.
Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora while denying Tsvangirai had usurped Mangoma's powers, he claimed the national executive had demanded "more frequent updates" on the party finances.