News / National
MDC-T members defy Tsvangirai's WhatsApp ban
10 Feb 2015 at 10:42hrs | Views
MDC-T members have defied embattled party leader Morgan Tsvangirai's ban on them discussing party matters on social media platforms.
Tsvangirai last Wednesday ordered party members to, with immediate effect, shut down and exit social media groups formed to discuss party issues.
The development also came in the wake of reports that Tsvangirai's deputy Thokozani Khupe and treasurer Theresa Makone are said to be trying to push out the beleaguered MDC-T leader.
Sources who spoke to our Harare Bureau said the two were trying to use their financial power to weaken Tsvangirai, who, faced with donor fatigue, has been living in penury.
Insiders say there has been growing discontent in the party from the holding of the chaotic MDC-T congress in October that had been preceded by muddled provincial congresses. Tsvangirai in some instances was forced to personally accredit delegates.
Chronicle yesterday established that the WhatsApp chat groups only changed names and icons following Tsvangirai's declaration last Wednesday.
Party sources said only a few had exited the groups with the majority vowing to stay on the chat groups.
Some of the groups that have changed names and removed the party name and symbol include Ministry of Change (created on 28 September 2014), Big Tent and Road to Freedom created in February last year.
Some of the old chat groups included State House Na Save created on May 5, 2014, 100 percent the Winning Team created on July 7, 2014, The Zimbabwean Igwe created on November 19, 2014, Tsvangirai our President created on December 13, 2014 and Dare Rechimurenga comprising of radical party youths.
"The people are defying Tsvangirai's letter because they believe that it is a violation of freedom of speech. We will continue interacting on the social media platforms because it's not Tsvangirai's party but the organisation belongs to everyone," said an MDC-T insider.
MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu yesterday referred this paper to his statement on the party website saying Tsvangirai had not banned the use of social media but members were bound by the party's rules and regulations.
"Party members are free to use social media in accordance with the guidelines and standards that are being set up by the party leadership. Social media platforms should not be abused to promote hatred, division, gossiping and rumour - mongering," said Gutu.
"These guidelines are being made available to all party members who would like to use social media platforms to communicate amongst themselves. Should there be any doubt as to what these guidelines are, my office is more than willing and able to assist any party members who are keen to activate their social media platforms."
Professor Richard Simango, an MDC-T member based in South Africa, yesterday described the directive as dictatorship by a desperate leader.
"This is the beginning of dictatorship because the person or the committee which passed that directive didn't follow the party's protocol. The MDC-T is a democratic party which is fighting for freedom of expression and equal opportunities.
"It looks like the leadership only looked at the demerits of the WhatsApp group chats and ignored the merits. We used to condemn dictatorship in the Zanu-PF party, but this is now happening in our own party," said Prof Simango.
He added that it was important for the party to "walk its talk" saying the decision was not even debated in the party's national council of elders.
"These chat groups are playing a pivotal role in campaigning, organising meetings, projects, demonstrations and party programmes and this is contributing positively to our struggle.
"I'm here to stay with WhatsApp political group chats until the right procedure is followed in making such decisions," said Prof Simango.
According to reports, Tsvangirai last month threatened to disband provincial structures accused of leading a campaign in the social media pushing for an extraordinary congress to usher in new leadership.
The last October congress, pushed forward from 2016, was held in the aftermath of the departure of some senior officials led by former secretary general Tendai Biti who went on to form MDC Renewal.
The "rebels" are reportedly using WhatsApp and Facebook to call for another congress next year to bring in fresh blood with a growing feeling that Tsvangirai is now a dead brand.
The root of disgruntlement among members is Tsvangirai's bid to consolidate power within the troubled party by amending the constitution at last year's congress giving the embattled leader a stranglehold on the party.
Party sources said rebels were not happy with the congress outcome which saw the demise of Nelson Chamisa, the former organising secretary and his deputy Tapiwa Mashakada despite the duo going there as favourites.
Chamisa was beaten by Douglas Mwonzora to the position of secretary general despite having more nominations from the provinces in the run up to the congress.
Tsvangirai last Wednesday ordered party members to, with immediate effect, shut down and exit social media groups formed to discuss party issues.
The development also came in the wake of reports that Tsvangirai's deputy Thokozani Khupe and treasurer Theresa Makone are said to be trying to push out the beleaguered MDC-T leader.
Sources who spoke to our Harare Bureau said the two were trying to use their financial power to weaken Tsvangirai, who, faced with donor fatigue, has been living in penury.
Insiders say there has been growing discontent in the party from the holding of the chaotic MDC-T congress in October that had been preceded by muddled provincial congresses. Tsvangirai in some instances was forced to personally accredit delegates.
Chronicle yesterday established that the WhatsApp chat groups only changed names and icons following Tsvangirai's declaration last Wednesday.
Party sources said only a few had exited the groups with the majority vowing to stay on the chat groups.
Some of the groups that have changed names and removed the party name and symbol include Ministry of Change (created on 28 September 2014), Big Tent and Road to Freedom created in February last year.
Some of the old chat groups included State House Na Save created on May 5, 2014, 100 percent the Winning Team created on July 7, 2014, The Zimbabwean Igwe created on November 19, 2014, Tsvangirai our President created on December 13, 2014 and Dare Rechimurenga comprising of radical party youths.
"The people are defying Tsvangirai's letter because they believe that it is a violation of freedom of speech. We will continue interacting on the social media platforms because it's not Tsvangirai's party but the organisation belongs to everyone," said an MDC-T insider.
MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu yesterday referred this paper to his statement on the party website saying Tsvangirai had not banned the use of social media but members were bound by the party's rules and regulations.
"Party members are free to use social media in accordance with the guidelines and standards that are being set up by the party leadership. Social media platforms should not be abused to promote hatred, division, gossiping and rumour - mongering," said Gutu.
Professor Richard Simango, an MDC-T member based in South Africa, yesterday described the directive as dictatorship by a desperate leader.
"This is the beginning of dictatorship because the person or the committee which passed that directive didn't follow the party's protocol. The MDC-T is a democratic party which is fighting for freedom of expression and equal opportunities.
"It looks like the leadership only looked at the demerits of the WhatsApp group chats and ignored the merits. We used to condemn dictatorship in the Zanu-PF party, but this is now happening in our own party," said Prof Simango.
He added that it was important for the party to "walk its talk" saying the decision was not even debated in the party's national council of elders.
"These chat groups are playing a pivotal role in campaigning, organising meetings, projects, demonstrations and party programmes and this is contributing positively to our struggle.
"I'm here to stay with WhatsApp political group chats until the right procedure is followed in making such decisions," said Prof Simango.
According to reports, Tsvangirai last month threatened to disband provincial structures accused of leading a campaign in the social media pushing for an extraordinary congress to usher in new leadership.
The last October congress, pushed forward from 2016, was held in the aftermath of the departure of some senior officials led by former secretary general Tendai Biti who went on to form MDC Renewal.
The "rebels" are reportedly using WhatsApp and Facebook to call for another congress next year to bring in fresh blood with a growing feeling that Tsvangirai is now a dead brand.
The root of disgruntlement among members is Tsvangirai's bid to consolidate power within the troubled party by amending the constitution at last year's congress giving the embattled leader a stranglehold on the party.
Party sources said rebels were not happy with the congress outcome which saw the demise of Nelson Chamisa, the former organising secretary and his deputy Tapiwa Mashakada despite the duo going there as favourites.
Chamisa was beaten by Douglas Mwonzora to the position of secretary general despite having more nominations from the provinces in the run up to the congress.
Source - chronicle
