Tsvangirai should have stepped down: Siwela

Politics
FUGITIVE Mthwakazi Liberation Organisation leader Paul Siwela yesterday said embattled MDC-T boss Morgan Tsvangirai should step down and not waste his energy purging dissenting voices.

FUGITIVE Mthwakazi Liberation Organisation leader Paul Siwela yesterday said embattled MDC-T boss Morgan Tsvangirai should step down and not waste his energy purging dissenting voices.

RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR REPORTER

In an interview with Southern Eye on the social network WhatsApp, Siwela said Tsvangirai should have resigned as party leader soon after losing last year’s general elections and accused him of practicing what he termed “student opposition politics” devoid of rationale.

Siwela has a warrant of arrest against him after he skipped bail during his treason trial and fled the country into self-imposed exile at an unknown destination, although he is widely believed to have sought refuge in Sweden.

He jumped the border after threats were reportedly made on his life. The 2008 Independent presidential candidate is a leading secessionist pushing for the creation of a Mthwakazi State.

“Tsvangirai should have resigned after the July elections defeat because even in 2018 he will never be declared the winner as the same conditions that existed from 2000 will be present in 2018,” Siwela said.

“Repeating the song of rigging is as childish as it is nonsensical. Zanu PF will not give up power through democratic means and takes advantage of those who believe in such a mirage.

“Why should a rational person expect Zanu PF to declare itself losers in an election it controls given the past record of genocide and gross abuse of human rights?”

Tsvangirai backers have purged party deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma for asking him to consider stepping down to save the MDC-T.

The purge has also claimed scalps of all those perceived to be heeding Mangoma’s calls for leadership renewal in the party.

Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Sengezo Tshabangu and his executive were recently suspended for alleged incompetence while Manicaland chairperson Julius Magarangoma and spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya have also been suspended.

The Harare executive led by Paul Madzore also had a vote of no confidence passed against it for non-performance although it is widely believed that it is part of a ploy to purge Tsvangirai opponents before calling for an early congress to confirm his leadership. Siwela said people from Matabeleland should forget about Zimbabwe’s opposition “student politics” as it would never remove Zanu PF from power, but serve to perpetuate the suffering of the people.

“The nation of Matabeleland is directed to disabuse itself from Zimbabwe’s politics and invest in the programme of self-determination that ought to be realised around 2018.

“We can’t afford to lose the glorious opportunity that would deliver our independence and sovereignty.

“All the people from Kwekwe to Plumtree, to Beitbridge, must stand ready to commit and support the uncontested viable programme of the self-determination of Matabeleland which is due for delivery now,” he added.