MDC-T infighting took a new twist yesterday as three national youth assembly officials were arrested for allegedly attending an illegal meeting in Bulawayo to discuss the party’s state of affairs amid reports that the gathering was a plot to strategise toppling party leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER
About 50 youths drawn from all administrative provinces had gathered at a Bulawayo hotel when police stormed the meeting.
Under-fire MDC-T national youth secretary-general Promise Mkhwananzi told Southern Eye yesterday that three of their members were arrested by police.
Mkhwananzi alleged that a Mashonaland West party member he named as Ralph Magunje had set the police on them.
“MDC-T national youth executive assembly committee had a meeting today (yesterday) to assess the state of affairs within our broader movement,” said Mkhwananzi.
“However, after the meeting and when our officials were discussing their personal issues, a group of police offices burst into the hotel and managed to arrest three of our members.
“Police said the meeting was illegal, hence they were charged with attending an unlawful gathering,” said Mkwananzi.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He said it was prudent for the party’s youth assembly to discuss the state of affairs of MDC-T and come up with workable solutions. The arrested were identified as Thabani Mlambo, Jimmy Jalif and Laston Julius.
However, sources within the party’s Bulawayo youth wing said the meeting was illegal and the arrests were justified.
“We said this long back that Tsvangirai is our leader and for anyone to organise a meeting here (in Bulawayo) whose agenda is to remove him (Tsvangirai) is unlawful.
“Whoever alerted the police did a good job,” said the youth member.
A comment could not be obtained from the police.
MDC-T is embroiled in leadership wrangles with several senior officials calling for Tsvangirai to step down.
The leadership renewal calls have claimed the scalp of deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma, who was suspended as Tsvangirai and his loyalists conduct a purge of the party ranks.
Mangoma wrote a four-page letter urging Tsvangirai to resign and allow fresh blood to take over saying he had failed to lead MDC-T to victory against Zanu PF and President Mugabe in the 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2013 elections.
Mangoma and Mkhwananzi were subsequently assaulted outside the party’s Harvest House head office while Tsvangirai looked on.
