MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday said the party was reviewing the suspensions of officials as the party moves to give effect to unity calls made by its leader Morgan Tsvangirai following months of turmoil triggered by calls for leadership renewal.
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Tsvangirai announced on Tuesday that senior party officials had ironed out their differences which led to the suspension of treasurer-general Elton Mangoma.
The rift had also led to the suspension of several officials in a suspected purge of people who refused to publicly endorse Tsvangirai’s leadership and pledge their allegiance to him.
The provincial chairpersons of Manicaland and Matabeleland North and South were among key party figures that were suspended.
“We are reviewing the suspensions but it is not automatic that the suspensions will be lifted,” Mwonzora said.
“What we are doing is to ensure that there is unity and peace and the party moves forward and works as one big family.”
Underfire MDC-T Youth Assembly secretary-general Promise Mkhwananzi, and Mangoma’s lawyer Jacob Mafume yesterday said the suspensions should be lifted to genuinely cement the unity pact announced by Tsvangirai.
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“The way forward is to lift and stop all unconstitutional suspensions; return the party to constitutionalism and restore unity and sanity in the party.
“The party should move forward as one in compliance with the constitution,” Mkhwananzi said.
Mafume chipped in: “The suspensions have to be lifted immediately.
“If this fundamental issue is not addressed then the party has merely announced a non-existent unity pact.
“They should unite with those that have been suspended.
“As it is, there is no unity with party members that have been suspended; there is no unity with the victims of the on-going purge.
“The party needs to identify people it has differences with and make a proper unity pact with them.”
Tsvangirai on Tuesday sat side by side with MDC-T secretary general Tendai Biti as he announced that warring factions in the party had decided to bury the hatchet.
Biti has publicly spoken about the suspension of Mangoma and others from the MDC-T.
