(Last Updated on March 20, 2014 by Editor)
A vote of no confidence has been passed on three MDC Harare province executives who are opposed to party leader Morgan Tsvangirai continued stay in office.
MDC-T Harare executives aligned to Tsvangirai claimed to have passed a vote of no confidence against provincial chairman Paul Madzore, secretary Willias Madzimure and provincial organising secretary Tichaona Munyanyi at a meeting on Monday night.
The three did not attend the Monday meeting at Harvest House where the decision was made. Provincial spokesperson Obert Gutu said the vote of no confidence was necessitated by the lack of leadership qualities on the part of Madzore.
“He has not been able to put down his foot to deal with challenges we are facing in some districts like Harare North,” he said. Gutu said there was “irrefutable” evidence that Madzore and the two others were advocating for leadership renewal in the party and were seen in some instances lobbying for it.
But Madzore said the purported vote of no confidence was a legal nullity.
He said those claiming to have ousted him and the two others were “drunk and had no right to undo what was made by congress to further their narrow political agendas”.
“You do not just meet as friends and discuss issues and say you have come up with a position. You can’t stop people from getting drunk, but what is wrong is an attempt to undo what congress did,” Madzore said.
“I remain the chairperson for Harare and that won’t change now. Our battle with Zanu PF is bigger and I don’t believe in looking at smaller fights.” Under the current purge of those for leadership renewal in the party, the affected provinces include Matabeleland North where chairman Sengezo Tshabangu and his executive have been suspended and Mutare where chairman Julius Magarangoma and spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya have also been suspended.
The party youth assembly chairperson Solomon Madzore, who survived an attack by youths aligned to Tsvangirai, said: “What is happening in the party now is part of organisational growth. It’s part of a natural organisational process. There are some individuals who happen to cry more than the bereaved and think they can violate the constitution left, right and centre.”
He said there was a wrong perception that the two Madzore brothers were aligned to deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma who was recently suspended for calling on Tsvangirai to quit. Mangoma is believed to be working closely with party secretary-general Tendai Biti, who was against the suspension of the deputy treasurer.
“I wonder how that is possible. That’s an insult of the highest order to say I belong to anyone,” the younger Madzore said. “I am president of the youth assembly of the MDC-T led by Tsvangirai, Thokozani Khupe as deputy, Lovemore Moyo as chairman and all others elected by congress, including Elton Mangoma as deputy treasurer-general. People elected by congress will be removed by congress when the time comes.”
The youth assembly chairperson was of the view that Mangoma did not commit any offence warranting a suspension. “If you love your leader, you tell him the truth. I meet my leaders one by one and I tell them the truth not what they want to hear,” he said.
“Mangoma and Tsvangirai don’t hate each other. That’s why he was made a negotiator. It shows they come a long way. These are minor challenges and we are destined for Canaan.”
Quoting United States President Barack Obama, Madzore said: “Democracy is about knowing you are the best, but knowing there is someone who can do better.”