Tsvangirai tells MDC-T rebels to form their own party

Another split of Movement for Democratic Change party (MDC-T) seems imminent after its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday told party supporters at a rally in Mkoba Stadium in Gweru that those calling for leadership renewal are free to leave and form their own political party.

Tsvangirai's utterances follow the formation of a group calling itself MDC leadership renewal team which has among others, the party secretary-general Tendai Biti, suspended treasurer-general Elton Mangoma, Elias Mudzuri, youth chairman Solomon Madzore and Promise Mkwananzi who is the secretary of youth in the party.

Biti and Mangoma who both were conspicuous by their absence together with other senior members linked to the project are said to be the ring leaders in the plot to oust Tsvangirai.

In a thinly veiled attack on Biti and Mangoma, Tsvangirai said those that are pontificating about party values and calling for leadership renewal were not founding members of the party and were free to leave the party.

"Someone is coming to tell me that we want to go back to the values of the party. When we formed the party were you there? What values are you talking about? It is us who should tell you the values of the party.

"If you want to form your own political party, the door is open you can go ahead. If you want to head a party then you should just form yours," he said.

In another calculated move widely read as an impending purge of members who are sympathetic to Biti and Mangoma ahead of MDC-T's congress scheduled for 2016, Tsvangirai announced that the party would embark on leadership renewal in all party structures.

He said: "I have always said if we are to remove Zanu-PF from power we need firstly to bring back all those who broke ranks with us and secondly to go back to our structures so that we implement organisational renewal.

"Do not be misled by people who say Tsvangirai is not prepared to face congress. I am prepared for congress and it will be held soon."

"I am prepared for congress and it will be held soon."

Tsvangirai's call to expel the "rebels" was buttressed by the party's national chairman, Lovemore Moyo who said individuals who were causing disunity in the party were betraying the party's struggle.

He said such elements needed to be expelled from the party.

"There is no individual who is bigger than the party and there is no individual who can hold the party to ransom. Today you have a responsibility as supporters to defend the party in your homes, wards, districts and in the provinces.

"When someone sits and plans to destroy the party that person will not be forgiven as it is betrayal at its highest order. We need to be united to confront Zanu-PF but we do not want sell-outs. Go back and reorganise the party and get rid of people who are not behaving," said Moyo.

The rally attended by about 2,000 supporters, a far cry of huge crowds of about 10,000 supporters, shows the waning fortunes of MDC-T.

Among senior party officials who were present at the gathering were the party's vice-president, Thokozani Khupe, organising secretary and his deputy Nelson Chamisa and Abedinico Bhebhe, Mkoba legislator, Amos Chibaya, the party's provincial chairperson, Lillian Acropolis and Sesel Zvidzai among others.