By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Embattled MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has lined up a marathon programme that will see him address at least six rallies in Masvingo Province in a desperate bid to ease flaming tempers in the party.

While Zanu PF is in flames and fast disintegrating, Tsvangirai’s party has not been spared from nasty factional fights and the former trade unionists is desperate to avert an impending implosion.
Tsvangirai who addressed about 500 party supporters at Mukore Business Centre yesterday, will address rallies at Dewure (today), Ngundu on Friday, Mashava, Saturday, Tshovani Stadium on Sunday and Jerera Growth Point on Monday.
Tsvangirai lamented the poor state of crops in Masvingo province and also urged the government to speed up relief efforts.
“The crop situation is pathetic and the government is clueless on what to do to feed thousands of people who are facing starvation. As a party we will continue pushing for electoral reforms because the only way free and fair elections can be held is through the National Election Reform Agenda. We are not changing our stance as a party,” said Tsvangirai.
The rally, a far cry from the typical MDC gatherings, has further triggered panic in the party with some party youths claiming people were ferried to the venue of the rally on factional lines.
Party youths in Masvingo Urban Constituency accused provincial chairman James Gumbi of working with members of his faction to sabotage Tsvangirai’s programmes in Masvingo .
“The transport coordination programme was carried out on factional basis and some of us wanted to go to the rally but we could not get transport,” fumed an MDC youth assembly member.
It is understood Tsvangirai is using the rallies to reunite party members following endless factional wars and defection of key members to former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s People First.