MDC-T youths demand Gutu ouster over VPs

THE MDC-T youth league wants opposition party spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu ousted from his post for allegedly abdicating his responsibility when he announced that he would not comment on issues related to the appointment of Mr Nelson Chamisa and Engineer Elias Mudzuri as party vice presidents.

The youth league will convene its meeting tomorrow where it is expected to push for the removal of Mr Gutu from the position of party spokesperson.

A fortnight ago, MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai appointed Mr Chamisa and Eng Mudzuri in a development that shocked several senior members of the opposition. Subsequent to the development, Mr Gutu posted a message on his Facebook page that any comments regarding the appointments should be directed to Mr Tsvangirai.

"As the MDC-T national spokesperson, kindly be advised that I have absolutely no comment to make on the appointments for the office of the vice president that were announced at a press conference in Harare on July 15, 2016. I refer all questions and/or enquiries to President Morgan Tsvangirai," read the statement posted by Mr Gutu.

Mr Tsvangirai's spokesperson, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, has since then been responding to media enquiries surrounding the appointments which rocked the opposition party with most feeling that it was in violation of the party's constitution.

An official in the MDC-T youth league said Mr Gutu should convey the position of the party notwithstanding whether he agreed with it or not. "By referring the media to Mr Tsvangirai, he was refusing to discharge his duty as was mandated by congress," said an official in the youth league.

Another source said the youth assembly would meet tomorrow (Wednesday) to recommend his removal. MDC-T youth assembly national chairperson Mr Lovemore Chinoputsa confirmed that they would convene a meeting tomorrow but declined to comment on whether the Gutu issue would be tabled.

"I can't divulge the agenda of our meeting to the media," said Mr Chinoputsa.

But another source said the position of the youth was supported by other arms of the party and the issue would be tabled before the national executive and national council that meets on the same day.

Contacted for comment, Mr Gutu said there was no need to read too much into his statement.

"I really shouldn't dwell on petty issues that seek to divide rather than unite the MDC. Luke Tamborinyoka is the presidential spokesperson and director of communications in our party. I'm the national party spokesperson. Already, official statements have been publicly disseminated regarding the appointment of two additional vice presidents by president Morgan Tsvangirai. There is neither any confusion and/or misunderstanding surrounding these appointments. Of course, our detractors and other Zanu-PF agents might want to cause confusion, alarm and despondency amongst the rank and file of our party cadres by spreading false, misleading and malicious fabrications against some party leaders.I'm completely unfazed by the work," said Mr Gutu.