Matongo claims plot to kill Tsvangirai

Matongo claims plot to kill Tsvangirai

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By Lebo Nkatazo

SQUABBLES within Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) took a dramatic turn Sunday when the opposition party’s national chairman, Isaac Matongo, accused the pro-Senate faction of plotting to kill party leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Addressing a crowd of 2000 people at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, Matongo also accused a faction -- said to be led by MDC secretary general Welshman Ncube -- of colluding with Zanu PF over the 2002 treason charges against Tsvangirai.

However, Tsvangirai appeared to be in a conciliatory mood, saying the door was still wide open for the two parties to work together if the other one withdrew from the Senatorial polls.

He also criticised his deputy, Gibson Sibanda -- who is also advocating for the MDC to field candidates in Senate elections -- for openly attacking him in the media, but added that he regretted that they were now clashing.

“If we have a problem in our bedroom, it is not good to do what VP Sibanda is doing telling everybody about it. Let’s sit down and discuss these problem ourselves,” he said.

“I have worked with Sibanda for over 20 years for this struggle and it pains me to see how this relationship has come to this point,” he added.

Tsvangirai reiterated that MDC Senate hopefuls who defied his call to withdraw their candidature by last weekend’s deadline had automatically expelled themselves from the party.

“Those who failed to meet Saturday’s deadline have expelled themselves from the party,” Tsvangirai stressed.

The Bulawayo rally was also attended by MDC MP for Makokoba Thokozani Khupe, Nelson Chamisa of Kuwadzana, city of Gweru executive mayor Sessel Zvidzai and some notable Bulawayo city councillors.

The MDC, founded in 1999, has split over Senate elections due on 26 November. Tsvangirai supports a boycott of the elections, while another faction supports participation -- arguing strongly that the MDC needed to consolidate its hold in areas that it already controlled, especially in the stronghold of Matabeleland.

In Chitungwiza just outside Harare, the pro Senate group addressed a rally in Chitungwiza, near Harare and vowed that they would forge ahead with participation.

MDC deputy secretary-general Gift Chimanikire introduced the party candidates at the gathering that was also attended by party heavyweights Job Sikhala, Trudy Stevenson, Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga and Renson Gasela.

Chimanikire, who blasted Mafikizolos (recent arrivals) in the MDC accusing them of causing chaos, said the opposition would participate to defend its territories from the governing party.

Chimanikire scoffed at the anti-Senate stance displayed by Tsvangirai saying the party leaders persuaded two top party officials out of the March general elections on the grounds he would permit them to run in the Senatorial polls.

“Tsvangirai persuaded Morgan Femai and another official not to take part in the March elections so that they would stand in the Senatorial polls,” Chamanikire said.

“He never informed anyone in the leadership that the MDC was no longer going to stand in the polls,” he added.

Other legislators who also addressed the rally attended by an estimated 3 000 supporters, denounced dictatorial tendencies within and outside the MDC.

St Mary's MP, Job Sikhala, attacked perceived enemies in the party telling them “to go and die.”

“I did not start politics today, but when I was 16 years. Who are you to tell me to move out of the MDC? I say to those denigrating me - mai vako (your mother), go and die,” the outspoken MP said.

He then said St Mary’s constituents have a right to defend their territorial integrity when their elected representative was threatened.

Renson Gasela said the MDC could only defend its domain from Zanu PF by taking part in the polls.

“If Zanu PF win the Senate elections here, our MPs would be supervised by that party’s Senator. We must therefore defend our territories, a good commander protects and secures what he has already conquered,” he said.

Glen Norah MP, Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga castigated "dictators in the party" while Stevenson urged party officials to respect the constitution.
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