Morgan Tsvangirai em risco

Lloyd Gumbo, Herald Reporter

THE chorus for the ouster of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai from the helm of MDC-T for failing to unseat President Mugabe in three Presidential elections continues to grow louder, with party structures at national level openly calling on Mr Tsvangirai to step down. For the first time since Mr Tsvangirai’s drubbing in the July 31 harmonised elections, MDC-T spokesperson Mr aDouglas Mwonzora has confirmed the development. He told a Press conference at Harvest House — the MDC-T headquarters — in Harare yesterday that there were divisions within the leadership on the subject. “Yes, there are people who have raised issues in the national executive, in the national council, at various forums,” said Mr Mwonzora in response to questions on whether some officials raised the issue of leadership renewal at senior level. “They have raised the issue about the need for leadership renewal. And there are other people who have also raised the issue that they don’t think it’s a good idea and that we should remain with the leadership that we have.” Mr Mwonzora said officials were allowed to call for leadership renewal during party meetings. While the white element within MDC-T — treasurer-general Mr Roy Bennett, former Marondera Central legislator Mr Ian Kay and Bulawayo South legislator Mr Edward Cross — have been outspoken about the need for Mr Tsvangirai to step down, Mr Mwonzora said there were also blacks within the formation calling for leadership renewal. He said Mr Bennett and Mr Kay jumped the gun by calling for Mr Tsvangirai’s ouster through the Press without using formal channels. “MDC-T is a party of rules. It has a constitution and it has regulations. Part of the leadership’s responsibility is to make sure that all party members abide by the constitution and rules of the party. If these rules are not being abided by, the leadership has a constitutional responsibility to make sure that the constitutional rules and regulations are followed.