News / National
Tsvangirai and how he deals with opposing views
07 Aug 2017 at 14:42hrs | Views
Violent clashes erupted yesterday at the MDC party offices after a dozen party youths stormed the meeting that was being addressed by deputy president Thokozani Khupe.
According to witnesses, a truck carrying about 15 youths descended at the meeting where they confronted Khupe over her decision to hold an "unsanctioned" meeting after boycotting the grand coalition launch in Harare.
Khupe, national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe and chairperson Lovemore Moyo did not attend the launch of the grand coalition in the capital, but were at yesterday's Bulawayo meeting.
In 2006 the Mutambara MDC has made serious allegations against the MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai. MP for Harare North constituency Trudy Stevenson and three other party Provincial Executive Members were attacked and severely assaulted by a mob of about 40 youths. Trudy alleged that the attackers were from the Tsvangirai group in Mabvuku. Speaking from the Avenues hospital where she is receiving treatment Stevenson said she recognised one of the thugs that attacked her as Tonderai Ndira.
In 2014, the then MDC-T deputy secretary-general, Mr Elton Mangoma was left with a bloody nose, broken spectacles and a tattered shirt.
After the attack Mangoma said, "I was left with a bloody nose, broken spectacles and a tattered shirt. The attack happened after the meeting ended at about 1700 hours. Alert to the possibility of violence, we had agreed that I would emerge from the building by Tsvangirai's side and depart in the leader's vehicle in order to avoid disturbances.
"But once we emerged from the building, I realised that Tsvangirai was, somehow, no longer by my side. I was then attacked while he watched and he certainly did nothing to discourage the mob. My sense was that he had prior knowledge that there would be violence.
"This is a very disappointing development; even Zanu-PF does not set party supporters to beat up its leaders. The attack shows that we are dealing with very desperate and, therefore, very dangerous people; people who cannot respond to ideas with ideas - they resort to violence instead.
"Tsvangirai also stoked tensions by claiming, during the meeting, that I wanted to take over his position when my letter to him makes no such claim."
According to witnesses, a truck carrying about 15 youths descended at the meeting where they confronted Khupe over her decision to hold an "unsanctioned" meeting after boycotting the grand coalition launch in Harare.
Khupe, national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe and chairperson Lovemore Moyo did not attend the launch of the grand coalition in the capital, but were at yesterday's Bulawayo meeting.
In 2006 the Mutambara MDC has made serious allegations against the MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai. MP for Harare North constituency Trudy Stevenson and three other party Provincial Executive Members were attacked and severely assaulted by a mob of about 40 youths. Trudy alleged that the attackers were from the Tsvangirai group in Mabvuku. Speaking from the Avenues hospital where she is receiving treatment Stevenson said she recognised one of the thugs that attacked her as Tonderai Ndira.
After the attack Mangoma said, "I was left with a bloody nose, broken spectacles and a tattered shirt. The attack happened after the meeting ended at about 1700 hours. Alert to the possibility of violence, we had agreed that I would emerge from the building by Tsvangirai's side and depart in the leader's vehicle in order to avoid disturbances.
"But once we emerged from the building, I realised that Tsvangirai was, somehow, no longer by my side. I was then attacked while he watched and he certainly did nothing to discourage the mob. My sense was that he had prior knowledge that there would be violence.
"This is a very disappointing development; even Zanu-PF does not set party supporters to beat up its leaders. The attack shows that we are dealing with very desperate and, therefore, very dangerous people; people who cannot respond to ideas with ideas - they resort to violence instead.
"Tsvangirai also stoked tensions by claiming, during the meeting, that I wanted to take over his position when my letter to him makes no such claim."
Source - online
