'Tsvangirai seems to be in charge, but MDC-T glue is weakening'

University of Zimbabwe lecturer and political analyst Eldred Masunungure yesterday said while the MDC-T party leader Morgan Tsvangirai seems to be in charge for now, indications were "the glue that holds the party is weakening".

"The continuing friction might be an indication that the elite consensus, the cohesion that has become the hallmark of the MDC-T, is weakening," he said.

"The subordinates are openly defying the leader, meaning he might be losing his grip. It suggests an insipid fragmentation of the party, the centre might be loosening."

Academic and political analyst Ibbo Mandaza concurred: "Such utterances show clear divisions. It is a counter-position to what Tsvangirai has enunciated and does not bode well for unity within the MDC-T."

The MDC-T has been rocked by endless internal fights since Tsvangirai's electoral defeat by Mugabe in 2013.

The fights have led to the departure of former deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and secretary-general Tendai Biti to form their own parties - Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe and People's Democratic Party, respectively.

In 2005, Tsvangirai had a nasty fall-out with his other secretary-general Welshman Ncube, now leader of the MDC.