Tsvangirai axe strikes again

MDC-T's Harare province has become the latest structure to fall by the wayside over moves to push party leader Morgan Tsvangirai out of power.

Tsvangirai's loyalists reportedly passed a vote of no confidence on provincial chairman Paul Madzore, secretary Willias Madzimure and organising secretary Tichaona Munyanyi on Monday.

The three did not attend the meeting at Harvest House where the decision was made.

MDC-T's Harare spokesperson Obert Gutu, who has openly criticised officials pushing for leadership renewal, said Madzore had failed to run the province.

"He has not been able to put his foot down to deal with challenges we are facing in some districts like Harare North," he said.

Gutu said there was "irrefutable" evidence that Madzore and his colleagues were advocating for leadership renewal in the party.

But Madzore said the vote of no confidence was null and void, accusing his rivals of being "drunk".

"They had no right to undo what was made by congress to further their narrow political agendas," he said.

"You do not just meet as friends and discuss issues and say you have come up with a position. You can't stop people from getting drunk, but what is wrong is an attempt to undo what congress did.

"I remain the chairperson for Harare and that won't change now. Our battle with Zanu PF is bigger and I don't believe in looking at smaller fights."

Provincial chairpersons in Matabeleland North and Manicaland have already fallen by the wayside in the ongoing purge.

MDC-T deputy treasurer-general Elton Mngoma was suspended last month for telling Tsvangirai to step down.

Secretary-general Tendai Biti has also been ostracised for questioning Mangoma's treatment and the purging of officials believed to be in support of leadership renewal calls.

Meanwhile, MDC-T youth leader Solomon Madzore yesterday accused some party officials of getting carried away in the midst of the fights in the party.

"What is happening in the party now is part of organisational growth, it's part of a natural organisational process," he said.

"There are some individuals who happen to cry more than the bereaved and think they can violate the constitution left, right and centre."

Madzore said he had been wrongly labelled a Mangoma sympathiser alongside his brother, the ousted Harare provincial chairperson.

"I wonder how that is possible. That's an insult of the highest order to say I belong to anyone," said the younger Madzore.

"I am president of the youth assembly of the MDC-T led by Tsvangirai, Thokozani Khupe as deputy, Lovemore Moyo as chairman and all others elected by congress including Elton Mangoma as deputy treasurer-general.

"People elected by congress will be removed by congress when the time comes."

He said he believed Mangoma did not commit any offence warranting a suspension.

"If you love your leader, you tell him the truth. I meet my leaders one by one and I tell them the truth, not what they want to hear," Madzore said.

"Mangoma and Tsvangirai don't hate each other, that's why he was made a negotiator; it shows they come a long way. These are minor challenges and we are destined for Canaan."