Tsvangirai threaten Matabeleland party structures

MDC-T Matabeleland provinces put up a brave fight to resist party leader Morgan Tsvangirai's unilateral appointments of two more vice presidents.

The party's standing committee members from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and South Africa showed ailing Tsvangirai a 'middle finger' during Wednesday crunch meeting.

However, as reported yesterday Tsvangirai resorted to dirty tactics to cow the provinces.

It is understood that long time leader threatened to purge the leaders during 2018 selection of candidates for elections.

"Most national council members were whipped into line in the run up to this meeting," the Herald reported.

"They were threatened that if they opposed president Tsvangirai, they risked being purged during selection of party candidates ahead of the 2018 polls. That alone was enough to instil fear among members," said a senior party member.

Another source said Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and South African provinces were quite vocal after they refused to budge.

"The three provinces were clear that the appointment was meant to weaken Ms Khupe whom in their view has been loyal to Mr Tsvangirai. But the three provinces were in the minority and as a result Mr Tsvangirai prevailed. To demonstrate that Mr Tsvangirai's appointments was not in good faith, why did he make the announcement at his residence together with his wife Elizabeth," said a senior member of the national executive who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals.

MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu confirmed the endorsement of the appointment of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as party vice presidents.

"The VPs were endorsed by the national council in our meeting. The matter surrounding this issue is now a closed chapter,".