Tsvangirai panics over Zimbabwe People First

The untimely challenge to the local opposition parties landscape by the emergence of the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) fronted by the former Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Joyce Mujuru, has sent shivers down the spine of Morgan Tsvangirai, who has suffered successive defeats from President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF since its formation in 1999.

Mujuru seems to challenge Tsvangirai more than anyone else in the opposition circles, especially if the reports are correct, the expected grand coalition of opposition parties is likely to reduce him to a junior post. This will pave way for other perceived competent opposition leaders who are believed to have more political clout than his which is tainted by successive losses since 2000.

In a state of shock, Tsvangirai has therefore, impulsively started on a wild and crazy goose chase as he is galloping criss-crossing the nation as he tries to restore his wasted pre-existing glory in the grassroots country-wide. He is cajoling and begging his support base never to abandon him as his territory is invaded by Mujuru.

MDC-T is even mesmerized by the impulsive actions of its leader which they are forcibly compelled to justify in the public eye. They are making trivial assertations that he is capitalizing on ZANU-PF infighting which gave him the lee-way to access rural areas. There is no co-relationship between such perceptions and his free movement across the country.

The national constitution is quite explicit that anyone has the freedom of movement, association and the right to enjoy the vast array of fundamental freedoms enshrined in the constitution and other international conventions. This is mere fussy over nothing as Tsvangirai never had any of these rights taken away from him. Neither was he declared a prohibited immigrant who was denied movement into other areas. If ever there were such incidents, he never challenged it legally. This then amounts to fabrication of issues which resembles the last kicks of a dying donkey.

The local laws require anyone intending to address a public gathering to get police clearance for him/her to address, at least seven days prior to the date. This legal requirement does not relate in any way to the political matrix taking toll in the ruling ZANU-PF party. It is naïve for one to suggest that the factional feuds are paving way for Tsvangirai to access remote areas where he was previously denied. That is cheap politicking.
Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy where every public issue is governed by the relevant legal clauses. Every citizen has the right to challenge any violation of his/her constitutional rights before the courts. Not before have I heard of such challenges from Tsvangirai to authenticate the false claims making rounds in his party.

MDC-T has a primary responsibility to satisfy the expectations of its supporters as opposed to hiding behind the finger by making false claims. It is in public record that MDC-T was dumped by its western donors after they failed to meet their expectations, which was primarily anchored on regime change in this country.

Meanwhile, MDC-T employees have gone for over a year with no pay. The workers recently were making frantic effort to seek court order so that at they could attach either Tsvangirai's personal property and/or party assets as a way of recovering the cash they are owed. If ever Tsvangirai could not go out into rural areas to address his people, the obvious sure case is due to bankruptcy position of the party. Nothing more, nothing less. They are seeking a foolish scapegoat by claiming harassment and barring orders from ZANU-PF which do not have tangible evidence.
Even Morgan Tsvangirai was on record for failing to buy basic requirements for his family due to lack of cash.

The generality of the public expects serious business from Tsvangirai and his MDC-T, rather than political bickering over trivial matters which do not increase the quantity of their bread and butter on their tables.