The growing battle between MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his said main internal rival, Mr Nelson Chamisa’s supporters has turned violent.
What began as a mythical scuffle has turned into physical war between opposing backers of the MDC-T’s two main figures in the 2013 election aftermath period. It all began when Mr Tsvangirai reportedly blocked Chamisa’s bid to become party secretary-general at MDC-T’s 2014 congress. It was also during that time when Tsvangirai indicated to ZimEye.com he has his own choice of a successor who is not Chamisa.
Youths from the opposing factions traded blows during the burial of Harare Deputy Mayor Thomas Muzuva in Hwedza in October and further divisions were evident in Bulawayo during the burial of former MP Thamsanqa Mahlangu.
The development has also seen Tsvangirai female aide Theresa Makone being labelled an old witch.
Insiders say Tsvangirai plans to meet Mr Chamisa to assert his authority.
“The meeting has been initiated by Tsvangirai, even though Cobra (as Mr Chamisa’s supporters call him) appears uninterested. The truth is: Yes, Chamisa has a faction and his followers are known. That is why Tsvangirai is now frantically going around, meeting leaders at various levels of the party. Who knows? Maybe Cobra will emerge victorious or Tsvangirai will assert his position,” sources told the State Media.
Another source in the party’s national standing committee said Mr Chamisa and his allies, among them Energy Minister in the inclusive Government Engineer Elias Mudzuri and Mkoba National Assembly representative Mr Amos Chibaya, have held several meetings in Midlands.
Deputy treasurer Mr Charlton Hwende, said to be a Chamisa loyalist, reportedly threatened to resign after he was barred from the standing committee meeting.
Mr Tsvangirai persuaded him to stay, and subsequently sought to meet Mr Chamisa.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu confirmed Mr Tsvangirai’s and Mr Chamisa’s scheduled meeting, but tried to downplay the agenda.
“Remember, our leader is full-time at Harvest House, so he meets other leaders of the party . . . at any given time,” he said.
At a recent rally in Chitungwiza in October, Mr Tsvangirai said some officials were plotting against him. A week later, Mr Chamisa shot back saying his boss was seeing shadows.
4 Replies to “Tsvangirai, Chamisa Infighting Turns Violent”
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Tsvangirayi never said he does not want Chamisa as SG, the National Executive posts where contested for and Chamisa lost to Mwonzora. He was not barred from participating. Chamisa’s supporters are behaving exactly like the G40 in zanupf who when one loses an election they start votes of no confidence. Chamisa and many who are normal know that he messed up big time the 2013 elections. He would call some aspiring candidates to Harvest House whilst at the same time conducting conformations in their areas which was trickery of some sorts so people voted him out. MT used part of his prerogative to pick some people and Chamisa was brought back. Chamisa is a brilliant young man but sometimes unbridled ambition can be calamitous. Yes Morgan Tsvangirayi must go but they have to do it pa congress which they did not. Patrick can you tell us which part of the constitution has MT ignored? I feel MT has run his race but we need tact to replace him not this hullabulloo.
Tsvangirayi never said he does not want Chamisa as SG, the National Executive posts where contested for and Chamisa lost to Mwonzora. He was not barred from participating. Chamisa’s supporters are behaving exactly like the G40 in zanupf who when one loses an election they start votes of no confidence. Chamisa and many who are normal know that he messed up big time the 2013 elections. He would call some aspiring candidates to Harvest House whilst at the same time conducting conformations in their areas which was trickery of some sorts so people voted him out. MT used part of his prerogative to pick some people and Chamisa was brought back. Chamisa is a brilliant young man but sometimes unbridled ambition can be calamitous. Yes Morgan Tsvangirayi must go but they have to do it pa congress which they did not. Patrick can you tell us which part of the constitution has MT ignored? I feel MT has run his race but we need tact to replace him not this hullabulloo.
Tsvangirai has no authority over anyone, he lost that years ago when he ignored the party’s constitution and other laws for his selfish reasons!
Tsvangirai has no authority over anyone, he lost that years ago when he ignored the party’s constitution and other laws for his selfish reasons!