MDC-T youths launch defiance campaign

MDC-T youths aligned to suspended deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma have launched a nationwide campaign to defy party leader Morgan Tsvangirai and urge their members to ignore Mangoma's ouster.

The party's youth secretary-general Promise Mkhwananzi is spearheading the campaign whose first meeting was held in Bulawayo at the weekend.

As forces in the British-backed party openly entrench their positions in the contest over Tsvangirai's position, Mkhwananzi confirmed the Bulawayo meeting and said the exercise would be carried out in all the provinces "to bring order in the party".

"We have planned meetings in all provinces with key youth leaders in a bid to defend the party constitution as well as bring back the youths that have gone off the rails," he told Chronicle in a rare, on-the-record interview.

"We are informing our youths to disregard the suspension of Mangoma and some provincial executives. The suspensions were unlawful and unconstitutional and everyone is therefore expected to continue with their lawful duties without fear."

The firebrand youth leader has openly castigated Tsvangirai and blasted organising secretary Nelson Chamisa and chairman Lovemore Moyo for fueling divisions within the party.

Secretary-general Tendai Biti has also defied Mangoma suspension and hinted at forming a new party that upholds the liberation struggle and is non-violent.

Mkhwananzi said the senior party leadership was aware of the youth meetings. However, party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora denounced the youths.

"We are not aware of any programme that Mkhwananzi is conducting. As far as we are concerned, the youth assembly does not have such a programme," he said.

"The party's national council made a decision to suspend Mangoma and he will go for a hearing. Proceedings will go on whether people make noise or not. Mkhwananzi and a few others know very well that they cannot overturn the party's laws."

The Bulawayo meeting was, however, disrupted when three of the youth leaders were arrested and later released for repoterdly attending an unsanctioned gathering.

Party youths aligned to Tsvangirai reportedly tipped off the police about the gathering in a bid to frustrate the pro-Mangoma camp.

Thabani Mlambo from Chitungwiza, Julius Luston from Manicaland and Jimmy Jalif from Mashonaland East, were picked up and later released by the police, said Mkhwananzi.

He claimed a youth member from Mashonaland West Ralph Magunje had been assigned to disrupt their meeting.

Mwonzora professed ignorance about the issue saying his party "does not keep track of illegal meetings".

Mangoma was recently assaulted by party youths allegedly sent by Tsvangirai outside MDC-T's Harvest House headquarters in Harare following his call for the latter to relinquish power.

Tsvangirai hit back by orchestrating Mangoma's suspension. Mangoma and many senior party officials including Roy Bennett, Biti and Elias Mudzuri assert that the suspension is unconstitutional, thus a nullity. They want Tsvangirai to relinguish power, but he is determined to cling on.

Biti had his house recently petrol-bombed by suspected MDC-T members for siding with Mangoma. As the party implodes, Tsvangirai, through trusted lieutenant, Chamisa is suspending figures and entire executives that they deem pro-Mangoma. The targeted officials are refusing to go.

Tsvangirai was in Bulawayo recently to find graffiti on the perimeter walls, offices and vehicles at the party's Bulawayo headquarters, calling for him to step down.

Bulawayo organising secretary Albert Mhlanga claimed youths aligned to Mangoma had spray painted the walls.

Party members maintain that if the impasse among the leaders is not solved, the party will split again, signaling a possible end to the MDC-T.