THE MDC-T’s national secretary for defence and security Giles Mutsekwa yesterday led a fierce attack on the party’s deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and secretary-general Tendai Biti accusing them of bringing the name of the party into disrepute. OBEY MANAYITI STAFF REPORTER
Mutsekwa was speaking at a meeting attended by Manicaland provincial secretary Misheck Kagurabadza, national organising secretary for women’s assembly Lynette Karenyi, and former Mutasa North MP David Chimhimi in Mutare. Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhamarare who was axed from the party also attended the event.
The meeting called for the ouster of Mangoma, Biti and those in the provincial leadership suspected to be backing Mangoma’s calls for leadership renewal.
Representatives of all the party’s 26 districts in Manicaland province attended the meeting and pledged their loyalty to Morgan Tsvangirai. They accused those fighting in Mangoma’s corner of being “sellouts.”
“We are in the middle of a struggle and in that struggle we don’t need to change commanders,” said Mutsekwa.
“I was briefed by the president of the party himself about his (Mangoma) behaviour and we are of the view that he should appear before a disciplinary tribune.
“We also advised the president to follow the roots of some of these people to see where they came from and what their intentions are.”
The former Housing minister who is viewed by his camp in the province as the provincial “godfather” added, “Mangoma has never at any time represented Manicaland Province.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I didn’t join the MDC, but I formed it. Mangoma joined it and now he is an outcast, he has never had the party at heart and he is a traitor,” he charged.
“Those who are following him at some point tried to join Welshman Ncube in 2005 when the party split.”
He also accused Biti of being behind the infighting and described him as power hungry.
David Chimhini, who contested and lost to provincial chair Julias Magarangoma weighed in saying they called the meeting to find out if the districts were still behind Tsvangirai. Karenyi said the women’s assembly would not allow people to bring the name of the party into disrepute.
Mutsekwa also defended the expelled mayor and three other councillors who allegedly connived and formed a pact with Zanu PF councillors in Mutare during mayoral elections. He said the move was necessary to thwart Biti’s attempts to grab power.
Minicaland provincial spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya who has written on social networks backing Mangoma said they would not lose sleep over the “illegal meeting”.
“We don’t recognise parallel structures. This province is chaired by Julius Magarangoma and I am his spokesperson,” he said.
“We conduct our meetings at the provincial offices not in the bush. They can bark whatever they want, but we will not recognise that and we will not lose sleep over that.”
