News / National
Morgan Tsvangirai tightens grip on MDC-T
02 Nov 2014 at 12:07hrs | Views
MORGAN Tsvangirai was given sweeping powers to run the affairs of MDC-T as the party moved to curb possible future splits.
The party's fourth elective congress yesterday entrenched powers in Tsvangirai as a solution to the problems that had rocked the party in its 15-year history.
In resolutions announced by acting secretary general Tapiwa Mashakada at the fourth elective congress, it was noted that the institutional and structural design of the party had contributed to the split in the party in past years.
"Therefore the party resolved to amend the constitution to allow our president to be the custodian of the party name," it said.
Tsvangirai was given powers to be the custodian of all party assets and supervise all in leadership.
Tsvangirai will now supervise the secretary general, treasurer general and all leadership. MDC-T also resolved that the secretary general shall no longer be responsible for all party affairs but would do so through Tsvangirai.
The Tsvangirai-led MDC has suffered two splits — in 2005 and early this year.
The MDC-T congress also resolved that the president of the party is the chief fundraiser.
Tsvangirai was also given powers to suspend any national executive and standing committee member and will do that through the national council.
On external resolutions, MDC-T said it would embark on peaceful demonstrations.
"According to the new constitution, the party is allowed to petition the state…and therefore congress has resolved that the party embarks on peaceful, constitutional demonstrations."
The party's congress also resolved to ratify the decision to expel former officials Tendai Biti, Elton Mangoma and Solomon Madzore and all "rebels".
These were banned from using the name MDC.
Meanwhile, voting for new members of the executive was still ongoing last night.
Before the dissolution of the old executive, Tsvangirai had called for people to desist from personalising positions.
"There will be losers and winners in this election… I say to you do not personalise positions, campaigns, let us work peacefully and vote peacefully province by province," Tsvangirai said.
Tsvangirai, vice-president Thokozani Khupe, national chairperson Lovemore Moyo, deputy secretary general Mashakada and the new spokesperson Obert Gutu and his deputy Thabita Khumalo were unopposed.
Voting for the youths and the women's wing had been done in the afternoon and the votes were yet to be counted by 8pm last night.
Voting for the main wing began shortly after 7pm.
The party's fourth elective congress yesterday entrenched powers in Tsvangirai as a solution to the problems that had rocked the party in its 15-year history.
In resolutions announced by acting secretary general Tapiwa Mashakada at the fourth elective congress, it was noted that the institutional and structural design of the party had contributed to the split in the party in past years.
"Therefore the party resolved to amend the constitution to allow our president to be the custodian of the party name," it said.
Tsvangirai was given powers to be the custodian of all party assets and supervise all in leadership.
Tsvangirai will now supervise the secretary general, treasurer general and all leadership. MDC-T also resolved that the secretary general shall no longer be responsible for all party affairs but would do so through Tsvangirai.
The Tsvangirai-led MDC has suffered two splits — in 2005 and early this year.
The MDC-T congress also resolved that the president of the party is the chief fundraiser.
Tsvangirai was also given powers to suspend any national executive and standing committee member and will do that through the national council.
"According to the new constitution, the party is allowed to petition the state…and therefore congress has resolved that the party embarks on peaceful, constitutional demonstrations."
The party's congress also resolved to ratify the decision to expel former officials Tendai Biti, Elton Mangoma and Solomon Madzore and all "rebels".
These were banned from using the name MDC.
Meanwhile, voting for new members of the executive was still ongoing last night.
Before the dissolution of the old executive, Tsvangirai had called for people to desist from personalising positions.
"There will be losers and winners in this election… I say to you do not personalise positions, campaigns, let us work peacefully and vote peacefully province by province," Tsvangirai said.
Tsvangirai, vice-president Thokozani Khupe, national chairperson Lovemore Moyo, deputy secretary general Mashakada and the new spokesperson Obert Gutu and his deputy Thabita Khumalo were unopposed.
Voting for the youths and the women's wing had been done in the afternoon and the votes were yet to be counted by 8pm last night.
Voting for the main wing began shortly after 7pm.
Source - The Standard
