'Tsvangirai is impediment for MDC-T progress'

AN MDC-T insider has written an earth-shattering story stating that Morgan Tsvangirai was now a retrogressive factor, hence a handicap for the party. The writer requested anonymity claiming that there was serious victimsation within Tsvangirai's party.

The question is whether Tsvangirai is still credible to lead a vibrant political party.  My assertion is that the just ended July 31st elections Tsvangirai is solely and squarely to blame for the downfall of the party.  Tsvangirai knew before hand that voters roll was shambolic and unacceptable for any party to participate in that election.

The second assertion is that the party was not in a position to contest the election with a view to win.  The party did not adequately prepare itself for the election given that even on the eleventh hour when ZANU PF was busy campaigning, strategising and plotting, Tsvangirai was busy honeymooning on River Thames in the United Kingdom.  The long and short of it is that Tsvangirai abandoned the ship and left it to sail on its own.

The third assertion, after knowing that the Voters Roll was shambolic he did not take the necessary steps to inform his Party and left the Party to participate on an election that was already rigged in favour of ZANU PF.  Then Tsvangirai decides to go to Court after losing the election before we know it Tsvangirai had withdrawn the petition to the dismay of many Party supporters.  It is evident that Tsvangirai as a leader suffers from chronic leadership qualities and indecision.  If Tsvangirai was convinced about the rigging and the shambolic voters roll he should have allowed the Courts to deliberate and maybe a Commission of Inquiry could have been set up.  We feel cheated and sold out.

The events unfolding in the party are such that there is no more freedom of speech and association.  Those who voice out are silenced by a campaign of violence and intimidation.  This is reminiscent of ZANU PF rule of law and abhorrent dictatorship of the sixteenth century politics.  We as human rights advocates living in the 21st century unreservedly condemn such acts of violence perpetrated on the innocent people.  The party clearly pronounces the right to free speech and association.  Anybody who violates these principles is in violation of the Constitution and brings the party into disrepute.

It is saddening to note that Tsvangirai has not bothered to denounce violence that is taking place under his nose within the Party and against his very senior party officials.  The demonstrations which took place in Mutare are a sad feature in the Party.  Tsvangirai instead of advising the demonstrators that the party had procedures to change leadership, he chose to tell them that their concerns were noted and will be taken forward.  That was a deliberate ploy to encourage the people to keep targeting and intimidating innocent officials.

Who is organising these people? We are also seeing a hidden hand from the Office of the Organising Secretary.  This is clearly a man who is harbouring some hidden agendas.  It is the first time that MDC  performed so poorly at the elections.  What strategies did Chamisa put in place for the Party to win the election.  Even in the diaspora Chamisa  failed dismally to put any Party structures in place.  Chamisa even failed to inform the people in the disapora that the Constitution governing them had changed.  Chamisa promised to return to the UK to evaluate his previous mission - Chamisa was never seen or heard of again.  Such is the leadership which still wants to lead.

There is a rebirth of dictatorship in the Party.  The leadership is surrounding itself with rogue elements and henchmen.  The structures of the Party will in no doubt be affected and despondency will set in resulting in the destruction of Party structures.  When a leader expects people to swear allegiance to him as opposed to the Party Constitution - he is now drunk with power.  When Tsvangirai was asked to nominate people for ambassadorial positions, the man came up with his own uncle who could not rise to the occasion.  That was purely nepotism.

The behaviour of a leader constitutes whether he is fit for purpose or not.  Clearly Tsvangirai's behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.  His behaviour contributed to the Party's poor performance during the elections.  How can a leader go about abusing women willy nilly and still expect to be voted into power.

The failure of the party rests squarely on the shoulders of Tsvangirai and Chamisa.  The party has become so corrupt and undemocratic even perpetrating violence against women.  Maybe it is time we start campaigning against such leaders and ask Human Rights Groups to join us in condemning such abuses on innocent individuals.

Be rest assured that in the diaspora, we shall not rest until democracy and good behaviour is upheld by the leadership of the Party.  We expect the leadership to abide, respect and adhere to the principles of Human Rights and Social Justice.

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This article was sent to the Bulawayo24.com by a senior MDC-T official who requested not to be named in fear of victimisation.