MDC-T fights turn ugly

The acrimonious fights in the faction of the opposition MDC-T led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai have reached a crescendo ahead of an elective congress set for October.

In Chitungwiza, accusations and mudslinging have become the norm epitomised by finger pointing where Zengeza East legislator and provincial chairperson Alexio Musundire is alleged to have links not only with the new rival MDC-renewal, but with state security.

In a letter to the party's leadership, Musundire complained that he was being provoked and maligned in a bid to "take him out of the equation in the congress run-in".

"I wish to register a formal complaint against Bernard Mazhindu, the provincial secretary for national healing and Rangarirai Mutingwende, a former expelled councillor, for serious provocation and harassment," said Musundire.

"These individuals have embarked on a campaign to impugn my reputation at every turn, spreading malicious and unfounded rumors about my loyalty to the party. Prior to the rebels' departure on their so-called renewal project, these individuals were spreading stories that I am a member of the CIO.

"Not content with the lack of traction that this generated and seizing on the Biti (Tendai one of the leaders of the renewal group)- inspired coup attempt, they now accuse me of belonging to that camp."

However, while Mutingwende was not available for comment, Mazhindu claimed he was beaten up by Musundire.

"Musundire humiliated me in front of about 20 people. He beat me up and left and when called by police, he did not answer his mobile phone on Saturday. It is a lie that we are fighting over congress issues. For a chairperson to stoop so low, he is just ashamed of what he did, there are witnesses but some might be afraid because of his violent behavior (sic)," said Mazhindu.

Asked if it was true that he had claimed Musundire was a CIO operative, Mazhindu said the legislator's behavior in the party was "questionable".

"His double standards make people question his authenticity because it appears he is above the law. I have no proof, but there are rumours to that effect," Mazhindu said.

According to Musundire, last weekend he had an altercation with Mazhindu and other activists, including youth assembly member Lovemore Maiko, in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza, 30 kilometres outside Harare.

"At a later stage, Mutingwende arrived and said a lot of things that I did not like which resulted in me confronting him and he sped off," said the legislator, adding he had left the scene only to hear a report had been made "alleging an assault and a firearm".

Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora professed ignorance of both the letter and the police report despite public media having run a story in which Musundire was alleged to be on the run.

"I am not aware of the letter or incident, but if he has written to the leadership then that letter should be dealt with tomorrow (today) when the national standing committee meets. I am not aware of the alleged links that Musundire has with anyone, but we will deal with all issues as they are presented," said Mwonzora.

Tsvangirai and his opposition movement have always claimed infiltration by state security agents as the cause of their problems. The MDC-T is reeling under internecine factional problems following its humiliating electoral loss to Mugabe and his Zanu PF party a year ago.