Biti, Mangoma backers violently ejected from Tsvangirai's rally

Violence rocked an MDC-T rally in Harare Sunday while party president Morgan Tsvangirai took a dig at those calling for leadership renewal and his departure.

Addressing a rally in Glen Norah B, where suspected backers of secretary-general Tendai Biti and deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma were violently ejected from the gathering, Tsvangirai said those who wanted him out of the MDC-T should not take advantage of his "meekness" and provoke him.

Mangoma and Biti are reportedly pushing for Tsvangirai to step down and were among party leaders who were on Saturday, beaten up at the MDC-T headquarters in the capital by a group backing the former trade unionist.

"Musateya nzou neriva (don't waste time trying to snare an elephant with a traditional stone-trap)," he said in apparent reference to Mangoma and others calling for leadership renewal.

"This party is  a democratic party, but let me tell those who are losing focus of the struggle, don't take advantage of my good character to champion your agenda, thank God I have a good character, but it must not be abused," he said. "Yesterday we had a meeting for the party leadership which started at 1030hrs  and ended around 1700hrs. Outside the party headquarters were youths who attacked some of the leaders, I don't want that. If I am your leader, listen to me, don't do that."

In the past weeks, the MDC-T leader has come under fire from some party stalwarts who want him to step down after failing to dislodge President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party in three consecutive elections.

Party treasurer Roy Bennett, Mangoma and national executive member Elias Mudzuri have all told Tsvangirai to step down and allow for leadership renewal, but the ex-prime minister said he was  staying put until he achieved his objective, that of taking power from Mugabe.

Biti, Mangoma, Harare provincial chairperson Paul Madzore and his young brother, Solomon, who is also youth wing leader, did not attend yesterday's rally. The group was constantly attacked by officials who addressed the rally, accusing them of being "Zanu PF agents".

Councillors, district chairpersons and other national leaders of the party, chanted slogans denigrating Biti and Mangoma.

Tsvangirai accused his once trusted lieutenants of plotting a coup by using money to overthrow him from power.

"Why are you are trying to remove me in a hostile way? If you want power, wait and we go for congress so that you stand here and I stand there and say to the people chose a leader you want," Tsvangirai said.

"I will step down if I lose, but not this way of forcing me out. They say let us work with a reformed Zanu-PF… How can Zanu-PF be reformed? If there was a time when Mugabe was to be reformed, it was during the era of the inclusive government."

At the rally, party supporters perceived to be Mangoma and Biti supporters were assaulted. The Zimbabwe Mail photographer Watson Ofumeli was also assaulted after being accused of being "Biti's spy."

A district chairperson who tried to defend Mangoma while addressing the rally was forcefully ejected from the gathering by a visibly angry mob.

Some district leaders mocked Mangoma's disability. Other leaders who were accused of siding with Mangoma were secretary-general of the youth wing, Promise Mukhwanazi, and his boss Madzore.

Although Tsvangirai condemned the violent attack on Mangoma and Biti,  he could not state any action that he would be taken against the perpetrators.

"I am ready to take this country to the promised land, me as your leader and you following me, what will you do when you remove me?" asked Tsvangirai.

Thokozani Khupe, the party's deputy president, said anyone who does not want Tsvangirai should leave the party

"Thina we are clear, sifuna upresident wethu uTsvangirai, ongafuniyokayekele (We are clear, we want our president Tsvangirai, whoever does not want him should leave)," she said.

Khupe is a key ally of Tsvangirai and so is party organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, who said it was impossible for the party to have leadership change "when it is on half time of the game".

"How can you change a coach at half time? How can Zanu-PF determine the coaching department of the MDC? This is what is happening in this struggle," Chamisa said.