News / National
'The media has lost it,' says Tsvangirai
17 Feb 2014 at 05:30hrs | Views
Morgan Tsvangirai took a swipe at journalists yesterday at a rally in Harare saying they were creating a perception that he was refusing to step down.
"People may write what they want in the newspapers. There are perceptions created by our journalists. We love them, but I think the media has lost it. They say Tsvangirai doesn't want to step down amid calls for him to step down, instead of me giving you power, you want to take it violently from me," he said.
On calls for leadership renewal particularly that he should step down as leader, Tsvangirai said: "Don't fight against the wall.
"The MDC-T was formed by the poor working class of this country. Let's not forget that and if you want to bring other ideas like using money, we will never agree on that.
"I thank God for the character that I am but don't take it as a weakness.
"People said I should take all the powers and be a dictator, but I said I should not be like Mugabe (President Robert) and can't impose myself, but want people to have a better life."
The ex-premier added: "We had an objective when we started this party and me leading while you follow and if you want to lead, it doesn't work that way. We were elected at a congress and we will go to the next congress like that, anything else in undemocratic. Don't be greedy, wait for congress to come and say what you want. I also want competition, not the hostile takeover. It's wrong and those who purport to be democrats should act democratically."
He said it was time to re-energise the party's power base and urged mass action against the mismanagement of affairs by the Zanu PF government.
"We were demobilised in the Government of National Unity. We are now taking up the struggle, but we must first deal with the issue at Town House. Chombo (Local Government minister Ignatius) is defending something that cannot be defended. You have to act and not sleep in the house while the country is burning and only blame Tsvangirai. Don't be cowards, why are you afraid of going to jail," the MDC-T leader said.
"People may write what they want in the newspapers. There are perceptions created by our journalists. We love them, but I think the media has lost it. They say Tsvangirai doesn't want to step down amid calls for him to step down, instead of me giving you power, you want to take it violently from me," he said.
On calls for leadership renewal particularly that he should step down as leader, Tsvangirai said: "Don't fight against the wall.
"The MDC-T was formed by the poor working class of this country. Let's not forget that and if you want to bring other ideas like using money, we will never agree on that.
"I thank God for the character that I am but don't take it as a weakness.
"People said I should take all the powers and be a dictator, but I said I should not be like Mugabe (President Robert) and can't impose myself, but want people to have a better life."
The ex-premier added: "We had an objective when we started this party and me leading while you follow and if you want to lead, it doesn't work that way. We were elected at a congress and we will go to the next congress like that, anything else in undemocratic. Don't be greedy, wait for congress to come and say what you want. I also want competition, not the hostile takeover. It's wrong and those who purport to be democrats should act democratically."
He said it was time to re-energise the party's power base and urged mass action against the mismanagement of affairs by the Zanu PF government.
"We were demobilised in the Government of National Unity. We are now taking up the struggle, but we must first deal with the issue at Town House. Chombo (Local Government minister Ignatius) is defending something that cannot be defended. You have to act and not sleep in the house while the country is burning and only blame Tsvangirai. Don't be cowards, why are you afraid of going to jail," the MDC-T leader said.
Source - newsday
