There are no genuine women interest groups in Zimbabwe - analyst

The deafening silence from women's rights groups over Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's escapades with various women has attracted outrage from analysts who say there are no genuine women interest groups in Zimbabwe but political organisations.

For the past two weeks, debate has raged on around the Prime Minister Tsvangirai's alleged bed-hopping and his disrespect for women. What has been glaringly missing has been the intervention of women's groups.

While the debate has been politicised with accusations and counter accusations, what has not been articulated is the abuse of women by powerful politicians.

In a country which prides itself in so many organisations which purport to represent the interests of women, no one has come out in the open to condemn the oppression of women by powerful individuals.

Political analyst, Mr. Gabriel Chaibva says the deafening silence by women's groups on the treatment of Ms Locadia Tembo and a string of other women by Prime Minister Tsvangirai clearly demonstrates that the so-called women representatives are political groupings that get funding from MDC aligned donors.

Bishop Trevor Manhanga says for a national leader to behave in the manner Prime Minister Tsvangirai is doing is purely unacceptable and should have attracted criticism from women organisations.

Zimbabweans are still waiting for such groups as Musasa Project, the militant WOZA, Women Action Group to make a bold statement in condemnation of Mr. Tsvangirayi's treatment of their fellow women.

What has come out in the open is that these groups are likely to remain silent as they fear to lose their cash cows-foreign donors.