MDC-T purging divides party

THE MDC-T crackdown on defiant senior officials will not address the root cause of the problems facing the party which was paralysed by its disastrous performance in the July 31 elections, analysts have said.

They warned that MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai and the entire top party leadership risked alienating themselves with some of their core supporters if they continued to victimise certain officials.

The MDC-T last week suspended Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi, his deputy Artwell Matyorauta, and three councillors for defying party orders during mayoral elections.

Mutare mayor, Tatenda Nhamarare and three councillors were also suspended for allegedly colluding to vote for a deputy mayor from Zanu PF. Dangamvura/Chikanga legislator, Arnold Tsunga is also set for a disciplinary hearing for contesting and winning against the party's preferred candidate, Giles Mutsekwa in the July 31 elections.

In what is now widely viewed as a purge of officials calling for the ouster of Tsvangirai, former Marondera Central MP, Ian Kay was also reportedly suspended for publicly calling for leadership renewal.

Exiled MDC-T treasurer general Roy Bennett, was the first one to publicly call for leadership change after the party's poor showing, but no action was taken against him.

But analysts said attempts by the MDC-T to silence critics would backfire and further divide the party. They said the party was now obsessed with controlling its members, instead of rebuilding its structure in order to launch a formidable challenge to Zanu PF in the 2018 elections.

Political analyst, Shakespeare Hamauswa said the way the MDC-T was handling its internal democracy processes was likely to create more fissures in the party.

He said the use of threats would result in more rebellions in the party.

"Disciplining people will not address the root cause of the problems in MDC-T," said Hamauswa.