News / National
Tsvangirai defends his call for protests against Mugabe
01 Nov 2014 at 10:44hrs | Views
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday defended his call for mass action and demonstrations saying he reserved that right.
"I wish to restate here that as a party, we reserve our right to mobilise the people and to support every sector that will engage in legitimate, peaceful and constitutional action to force this government to address the key national grievances that we all face regardless of our political diversity. Henceforth, we will be opting for boldness and not meekness," he said.
He also tacitly confirmed the allegations raised by First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe that Vice President Joice Mujuru was working with the MDC-T to achieve illegal regime change when he claimed that there were some in Zanu-PF who agreed with his party on the need for national convergence and working together. Addressing delegates to the MDC-T's fourth elective congress, Mr Tsvangirai said their theme, which was focusing on national convergence was consistent with views shared by some of their colleagues in the opposition including some in Zanu-PF.
"The theme of this congress recognises the emerging national convergence. I want to assure all of you that there are many of our colleagues even in Zanu-PF, who now agree with us on the nature of the problem and the solution to our crisis that requires consensus across the political divide. Yes, we are now all agreed that our collective and patriotic desire to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Zimbabwe is definitely more important than the needless focus on vitriolic attacks and selfish political interests that have no place in this digital age," said Mr Tsvangirai.
VP Mujuru received a standing ovation from MDC-T legislators in Parliament during the official opening by President Mugabe of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament. President Mugabe has since ripped into VP Mujuru's backers for fanning factionalism and plotting to depose him while addressing Zanu-PF supporters at the party headquarters on Thursday.
In his address, Mr Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe's re-engagement with the international community should be premised on an election framework that leads to a fresh election so that Zimbabweans could have a "second bite of the cherry."
"We in the MDC will play our part by insisting on the creation of those conditions that will give Zimbabweans a fresh bite of the cherry as only a legitimate government elected in a free and fair election is the basis of a permanent solution to the challenges we face as a nation," he said.
Mr Tsvangirai expressed regret over the split that rocked the opposition party early this year saying not only did it weaken them as a party but that it strengthened Zanu-PF.
Party secretary general Mr Tendai Biti and deputy national treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma have since left the MDC-T and formed the MDC Renewal Team after being frustrated by the continued leadership of Mr Tsvangirai whom they petitioned to step down to pave way for new leadership in the wake of a heavy defeat by Zanu-PF in the July 31 2013 election.
"We must ask ourselves whose interests are best served by these rebellions and splits? All problems can definitely be solved internally and breaking away from the MDC can only strengthen Zanu-PF and not the democratic movement. In the end, we will have a plethora of sponsored movements that do not in any way serve the interests of the majority of Zimbabweans who are yearning for democratic change," said Mr Tsvangirai.
In his solidarity message, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Mr George Nkiwane, said the labour movement would continue to support the MDC-T and have an interest in it because of the historical connection where the labour movement was one of the groups associated with the MDC's formation.
International Trade Union Confederation deputy secretary general, Mr Wellington Chibebe said the MDC-T should accept criticism. The two-day congress is being held at the City Sports Centre in Harare and about 2 000 delegates from the country's 10 provinces are attending. Mr Tsvangirai's wife Elizabeth also attended yesterday's event.
Elections are expected to be held today.
"I wish to restate here that as a party, we reserve our right to mobilise the people and to support every sector that will engage in legitimate, peaceful and constitutional action to force this government to address the key national grievances that we all face regardless of our political diversity. Henceforth, we will be opting for boldness and not meekness," he said.
He also tacitly confirmed the allegations raised by First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe that Vice President Joice Mujuru was working with the MDC-T to achieve illegal regime change when he claimed that there were some in Zanu-PF who agreed with his party on the need for national convergence and working together. Addressing delegates to the MDC-T's fourth elective congress, Mr Tsvangirai said their theme, which was focusing on national convergence was consistent with views shared by some of their colleagues in the opposition including some in Zanu-PF.
"The theme of this congress recognises the emerging national convergence. I want to assure all of you that there are many of our colleagues even in Zanu-PF, who now agree with us on the nature of the problem and the solution to our crisis that requires consensus across the political divide. Yes, we are now all agreed that our collective and patriotic desire to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Zimbabwe is definitely more important than the needless focus on vitriolic attacks and selfish political interests that have no place in this digital age," said Mr Tsvangirai.
VP Mujuru received a standing ovation from MDC-T legislators in Parliament during the official opening by President Mugabe of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament. President Mugabe has since ripped into VP Mujuru's backers for fanning factionalism and plotting to depose him while addressing Zanu-PF supporters at the party headquarters on Thursday.
In his address, Mr Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe's re-engagement with the international community should be premised on an election framework that leads to a fresh election so that Zimbabweans could have a "second bite of the cherry."
"We in the MDC will play our part by insisting on the creation of those conditions that will give Zimbabweans a fresh bite of the cherry as only a legitimate government elected in a free and fair election is the basis of a permanent solution to the challenges we face as a nation," he said.
Mr Tsvangirai expressed regret over the split that rocked the opposition party early this year saying not only did it weaken them as a party but that it strengthened Zanu-PF.
Party secretary general Mr Tendai Biti and deputy national treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma have since left the MDC-T and formed the MDC Renewal Team after being frustrated by the continued leadership of Mr Tsvangirai whom they petitioned to step down to pave way for new leadership in the wake of a heavy defeat by Zanu-PF in the July 31 2013 election.
"We must ask ourselves whose interests are best served by these rebellions and splits? All problems can definitely be solved internally and breaking away from the MDC can only strengthen Zanu-PF and not the democratic movement. In the end, we will have a plethora of sponsored movements that do not in any way serve the interests of the majority of Zimbabweans who are yearning for democratic change," said Mr Tsvangirai.
In his solidarity message, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Mr George Nkiwane, said the labour movement would continue to support the MDC-T and have an interest in it because of the historical connection where the labour movement was one of the groups associated with the MDC's formation.
International Trade Union Confederation deputy secretary general, Mr Wellington Chibebe said the MDC-T should accept criticism. The two-day congress is being held at the City Sports Centre in Harare and about 2 000 delegates from the country's 10 provinces are attending. Mr Tsvangirai's wife Elizabeth also attended yesterday's event.
Elections are expected to be held today.
Source - The Herald
