Tsvangirai flies into storm

Politics
MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai will fly into a storm when he addresses a rally in Victoria Falls amid reports that divisions in the party’s Matabeleland North structures are far from over.

MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai will fly into a storm when he addresses a rally in Victoria Falls amid reports that divisions in the party’s Matabeleland North structures are far from over.

Richard Muponde Senior Reporter

A faction linked to fired provincial chairperson Sengezo Tshabangu was yesterday said to be contemplating boycotting the rally to be held at Chinotimba Stadium.

Tshabangu’s executive was fired over alleged links to the group calling for Tsvangirai to step down.

An interim structure headed by Thembinkosi Sibindi was elected into office during a provincial council meeting held at the MDC-T offices in Lupane on March 1.

Sibindi yesterday was adamant that he was the sole MD-T provincial chairperson for Matabeleland North and accused Tshabangu’s group of trying to divide the party.

“I am the chairperson of the province. I am the one who organised this rally.

“Those who are saying I am not the chairperson want to divide the party,” he said. “I was in Harare at the National Council where we dealt with the issue of Mangoma. I went there as the provincial chairperson.

“Please don’t entertain these people. The president is coming here and the people are happy.”

Tshabangu could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered. MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday tried to downplay the divisions saying they had found a solution to the problems rocking Matabeleland North.

“We have found a solution to the matter, but I can’t pre-empt the solution now,” he said.

“However, the Tshabangu group has not been expelled from the party, but there was only a vote of no confidence against them.

“They are still members of the MDC-T and they should attend the rally by the party president at Chinotimba Stadium.”

The turmoil in the province has been linked to moves by disgruntled MDC-T officials to topple Tsvangirai.

The former prime minister is also expected to address the issue of the three “rebel” councillors who were expelled by the party in December last year for allegedly voting for a Zanu PF councillor for mayor.

Some MDC-T councillors voted Sifiso Mpofu ahead of the party’s preferred candidate Margaret Valley.

Deputy mayor Noris Nyathi, Rich Mguni (Ward 5), Robert Salimu (Ward 8) last month challenged their expulsion from MDC-T at the High Court.

The opposition leader embarked on the nationwide tours in February to meet with party structures in what is seen as a test of public support by the former prime minister.

Tsvangirai’s tours came in the wake of calls for him to step down by a group of rebels in the MDC reportedly led by fired deputy treasurer Elton Mangoma.

The MDC-T leader also met with all the 210 party district chairpersons in Harare, a move which has been viewed as an attempt to strengthen his position in the party.