MDC-T activist goes into hiding for taking Tsvangirai to court

MDC-T activist Mr Partson Murimoga, who recently took opposition party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai to the High Court for unilaterally appointing party vice presidents, has gone into hiding after being threatened by party youths for humiliating their leader.

Mr Murimoga dragged Mr Tsvangirai to the High Court last month accusing him of handpicking Kuwadzana East MP Advocate Nelson Chamisa and Warren Park MP Engineer Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents against the provisions of the party's constitution that stipulate that such appointments be done by congress.

Following the court challenge, Mr Murimoga has fled his Chitungwiza residence after failing to get protection from the party leadership whom he accused of being behind the attempt on his life.

He has also taken the MDC-T to the High Court demanding his salary after going for more than four months without being paid.

In an interview yesterday from his hiding base, Mr Murimoga said he had received several threats from party activists and he has since left his residence together with his family.

"I first started receiving threatening messages on our group Whatsapp platform of party members. It all started when I took Mr Tsvangirai to court. People have been coming to my house threatening me and I have since left my residence and sought refuge from well wishers some of whom are embassies that have traditionally supported the party.

"They now realise that Mr Tsvangirai does not rein in his supporters on violence given what happened to our former deputy national treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma who was assaulted right at party head-office," said Mr Murimoga.

He said it was strange that the party that allowed Harare mayor Mr Bernard Manyenyeni to seek recourse at the courts after he was suspended now sought to discredit him when he tried to assert his rights by approaching the same courts the same way Mr Manyenyeni had done.

"These are the very courts that Mr Manyenyeni approached for recourse. Why am I being victimised for doing the same thing? Are these not double standards by my party?" said Mr Murimoga.

"I have fled my residence and stay with some well wishers. It pains me greatly that I am being persecuted by my party. It would have been understandable had it been any other party. Not the very party that I assisted in conceiving," he said.

Mr Murimoga has also taken his party to the High Court demanding his outstanding salaries that had not been honoured.

When contacted for comment, MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu said he had not received reports of threats against Mr Murimoga.

"The MDC is a peace-loving political party that strongly abhors and condemns any form of violence against anyone. To the best of my knowledge, the party has not received any complaints to the effect that Partson Murimoga is being threatened by MDC supporters," said Mr Gutu.

"On the issue of salaries for party employees, that is an internal party issue. All our party employees are very much aware of the procedure to be followed when they are demanding payment of their wages and salaries."

Mr Murimoga said he still believed that Mr Tsvangirai was wrong in unilaterally appointing Adv Chamisa and Eng Mudzuri as vice presidents outside the confines of party congress as required by the constitution of the opposition party.