MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairperson Gorden Moyo yesterday said perpetrators of violence should be brought to book following the assault of national deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and secretary-general Tendia Biti as violence erupted at the party’s Harvest House headquarters in Harare on Saturday.
SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
Mangoma and Biti were reportedly assaulted by a group of party youths loyal to party leader Morgan Tsvangirai for calling for leadership renewal.
The violence broke out soon after Tsvangirai had held a meeting with the 210 MDC-T district chairpersons.
Moyo said it was a sad development to learn that some members engaged in such violent acts considering that the party was founded on democratic means of solving differences.
“Acts of violence by any member of the party, regardless of what position or who the person is, is just self-expulsion,” said Moyo.
“Anyone who engages in violence is expelled immediately according to party policy and those who perpetrated violence should be expelled if identified.
“Whether, physical or psychological, any form of violence is not condoned or accepted by the party,” Moyo said.
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He said such acts tarnished the image of the party and should not be allowed to happen.
Party’s spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday issued a statement also condemning the alleged violence.
“The MDC does not condone any form of violence against anyone,” said Mwonzora.
“To that end anybody who is found to be on the wrong side of the law and either perpetrating or inciting violence in the party will be brought to book in terms of the party’s constitution.”
He said Tsvangirai on Saturday called for tolerance and non-violence within the party.
“We expect all our party cadres to listen to our leadership in this regard,” said Mwonzora.
“In fact the president is on record saying that the issue of his succession should be debated openly within the party structures.
“At yesterday (Saturday)’s meeting the president made it clear that we must all unite as a party in order to fulfil our historic mission which is to deliver the people of Zimbabwe from poverty and misery.”
Mwonzora said district chairpersons of the party were ordered by Tsvangirai to promote party unity at grassroots level.
He said all the district chairpersons vowed to remain united under the leadership of Tsvangirai in the new struggle for Zimbabwe.
“The MDC will put aside the ghost of July 31 and concentrate on preparing for the next election which is going to be held soon,” he said.
“Yesterday (Saturday) the president proposed the Eight Point Plan for national survival which is the MDC panacea to the national crisis. Our leaders at grassroots level will therefore lead the articulation of these issues to the people of Zimbabwe,” Mwonzora said.
