Three Vice Presidents, is not a pass for election victory

MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai has shown his autocratic tendencies following his just ended appointment of the two vice presidents, namely, Kuwadzana East legislator, Nelson Chamisa and Member of Parliament for Warren Park, Elias Mudzuri without the knowledge of his long time deputy president Thokozani Khupe.

According to reports from MDC-T, it is through that party's highest decision making body, the national executive council, which came out with the resolution of the appointments. However, the appointments of the vice presidents brought many criticisms and anger from party supporters nationwide and other top officials who were not in the knowhow of these latest developments.

From the look of things, the decision by Tsvangirai and the so-called national council is a true reflection that there is no democracy within the MDC-T. If Tsvangirai fails to handle this issue cautiously, this could be the beginning of another split within the MDC-T. Actually, it's surprising that Thokozani Khupe, Tsvangirai's second in charge as earlier indicated, Douglas Mwonzora, MDC-T secretary general and Obert Gutu, MDC-T's spokesperson were not even aware of these latest appointments.

For Tsvangirai, democracy is easy in words than in application. A dictator's first task is to make what he wants popular, bringing the will of the majority in tune with his own will. It seems everybody who wants to remain loyal to this party has to dance according to Tsvangirai`s tune.

Most people were laboring under the assumption that the MDC-T party stood for democracy, a misconception they have since abandoned. When it comes to democracy, Tsvangirai should be ashamed of himself. Instead, the man should reconsider going back to the drawing board and research more on the qualities of a good leader. As it stands, Tsvangirai's behaviour is far removed from the characteristics of an aspiring leader. Worse still, his medical status which is haunting him day and night could be a contributing factor towards his assumed mental depression.

Before their appointments, Chamisa and Mudzuri were only national executive members after they failed to make it into the standing committee at the party's last congress. In other words, the appointment of the duo is against the will of the majority who had not voted for them at that party's last congress.

The appointment of Chamisa and Mudzuri could be a result of Tsvangirai's ill health status. Morgan could have seen upon himself that he cannot contest in the coming harmonised elections, hence selecting the two men ahead of that would save the MDC-T from political collapse. However, this decision by Tsvangirai and his national council is like a put-down thing especially to women in high ranks within that party. It seems Tsvangirai has no confidence in women leadership. This writer believes that Madame Khupe could have been taking over from Tsvangirai, in the event that he is incapacitated. Though Tsvangirai distanced himself from undermining the long serving deputy president, the truth that remains is Khupe will never replace the former trade unionist.

Tsvangirai`s resolution is a clear indication that Khupe has fallen out of his favour. However, reports have it that some MDC-T supporters from Matabeleland regions were not happy with the resolution made by Tsvangirai and his national council. Tsvangirai is seen as denigrating the people from Matabeleland, assuming that they lack leadership qualities. No wonder why Gutu wrote on his Facebook page pointing out that the move was just a circus that he could not attend.

I believe the MDC-T should have waited for its Congress to choose other vice-presidents. Why did Tsvangirai and his national council made short-cuts in appointing the vice-presidents? Was Khupe not elected at Congress? The same should have happened to the two.

For no apparent reasons, Tsvangirai has been blaming ZANU-PF for a bloated cabinet. What surprises now is that the same Tsvangirai who feels is the owner of MDC-T violated section 6.4.3.1 of that party's constitution which states that, "The National Standing Committee shall compose of only a single deputy president who is elected at Congress".

Instead of violating the party's constitution and making noise in the press, Tsvangirai should spare his time for recovery. It's necessary for Tsvangirai to keep quiet if he has nothing to say rather than boasting about his cancer in the media. The issue of him claiming that his cancer is better than President Mugabe`s misrule clearly shows that he is out of his mind. Such a claim coupled with  unconstitutional appointments of his latest two vice presidents confirm that he has lost democratic principles that governed his party when it was launched in September 1999. Tsvangirai just needs to be silent in order for the public to sympathize with him on his ailment.