Mkahlera quits politics

Politics
FORMER Gweru MDC-T legislator Timothy Mkahlera has resigned from active politics saying he is now committing his energies on running his businesses, church and furthering his education.

FORMER Gweru MDC-T legislator Timothy Mkahlera has resigned from active politics saying he is now committing his energies on running his businesses, church and furthering his education.

Stephen Chadenga OWN CORRESPONDENT

Mkahlera who was in the party’s national executive told journalists last Friday that his decision was not influenced by the recent MDC-T provincial congress where he lost his bid to represent the party as chairperson.

The Gweru businessman lost the party’s provincial chairperson post to Lillian Acropol in a controversial provincial poll presided over by party organising secretary Nelson Chamisa.

“That (provincial chairperson post) is a lower position than my current position, so my decision is not influenced by that,” Mkahlera said.

He, however, ironically added: “Sometimes you do not want that rigorous life style, when some people are continuously pulling you down”.

Mkahlera dismissed prospects of joining the MDC-Renewal team led by former party secretary-general Tendai Biti.

“On the four occupations that I have mentioned to you (politics, business, church and education) I have decided to eliminate the political side,” he said. “This means as from today (Friday), I have resigned from MDC-T and as you can see my basket is already full. I am not intending to go to the renewal (team) or to any other party.”

He praised MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, describing him as a “visionary” surrounded by people with dictatorial ways. “Tsvangirai himself is not a dictator, but there are a lot of people around him who are,” he claimed.

“Tsvangirai is actually more learned than the people who criticise him. I personally told him that he is a natural economist because I am an economist myself.”

Mkahlera joined MDC in 2000. He then defected to the Welshman Ncube-led faction when the party split in 2005 before rejoining in 2007.