Fireworks expected at MDC-T meeting today

Fireworks are expected at an MDC-T national council meeting today as it emerged members who arrived in Harare from some provinces learnt their names were struck off the list of eligible voters at the instigation of the party's organising secretary, Mr Nelson Chamisa and party president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai.

The fractious opposition party is expected to discuss "hot" issues threatening to tear it apart and suspended members will be barred from attending the meeting today.

Although The Herald could not establish the affected members out of 140 yesterday, close sources said the majority of those backing deputy treasurer general, Mr Elton Mangoma's leadership renewal stance were knocked off the list.

"They deleted a lot of names. Some people who arrived yesterday realised their names were missing from the list of names of people to attend the meeting. They have just been told that their provinces were dissolved.

"The majority of affected people are from Matabeleland North and South, Masvingo, Manicaland and we are told the same might have happened to Harare. They are replacing these people with interim structures," said the official.

Reports said Mr Tsvangirai had about 35 out of 140 members in the council who supported his continued stay and the suspension of the rebel members was meant to weaken the dissenting voices, said a council member.

Mr Mangoma and youth assembly secretary-general Mr Promise Mkwananzi were assaulted at Harvest House recently, while secretary general Mr Tendai Biti and youth chairperson Mr Solomon Madzore escaped the attack

The MDC-T constitution stipulates that at least two thirds of the council members should vote for a position to pass and given the current composition, sources say Mr Tsvangirai was likely to have difficulties in pushing for his position.

The party's spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, confirmed the national council meeting was on today, but dismissed there would be some fireworks.

He said council was going to discuss the party's strategy for 2014 and beyond, organisational renewal, hardships bedevilling the country and disciplinary issues to be raised by national chairman of the party, Mr Lovemore Moyo.

"There are so many disciplinary issues and I am not sure if (Mr) Mangoma's case will be among those going to be discussed," he said.

Mr Mwonzora dismissed allegations that some provincial structures were dismantled and members replaced by interim teams.

"We did not dissolve Masvingo or any other province, but we may have certain provinces where some people were suspended by the organising secretary of the party. The position is whoever has been suspended will not be eligible to come to tomorrow (today)'s national council meeting.

The president does not have a minority vote at all, he has the majority.

"I do not know where those nameless people are getting those figures. This is being said by the people who are not courageous enough to come out in the open.

"The MDC goes with the decision of the majority and whatever is going to be done tomorrow is the decision of the majority. We will not make the majority subservient to minority because that is not democracy," he said.

Mr Mwonzora said he expected Mr Mangoma, Mr Biti and Mr Mkwananzi to attend the meeting because they have not been expelled from the party.