Tsvangirai targets Bulawayo

Politics
Morgan Tsvangirai is headed for Bulawayo in a bid to consolidate his grip at the helm of the party following a turbulent week in which violence broke out at the party’s Harvest House head office

OPPOSITION MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai is headed for Bulawayo in a bid to consolidate his grip at the helm of the party following a turbulent week in which violence broke out at the party’s Harvest House head office as youths attacked a senior party official for calling for leadership renewal.

NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER

MDC-T deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma was bashed by party youths last Saturday following his calls for Tsvangirai to step down.

MDC-T national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa yesterday said a planned trip to Bulawayo was top of the party’s agenda as it “is a liberated zone”.

“The president (Tsvangirai) and his entire leadership is defiantly coming to Bulawayo in a matter of days. Bulawayo is top on our agenda as it is the party headquarters; a liberated zone,” he said.

“We are at our strongest point but the current turbulence is good as it awakens us and makes us alert of what is happening within the party. He will give feedback on key national developments.”

Mangoma has since accused Tsvangirai of deliberately setting him up for attack by the youths as they emerged from Harvest House.

Last week, Tsvangirai summoned party district chairpersons from across the country to Harare to discuss various issues, including leadership renewal.

Bulawayo has remained the MDC-T’s stronghold as it has swept all contested seats in elections since its formation in 2000. In the July 31 elections, the MDC-T won all 12 parliamentary seats and 29 municipal seats.