(Last Updated on November 27, 2015 by Editor)
In a wide-ranging interview with South African television station, Africa News Network 7, on Monday night, Tsvangirai said no amount of malice or mudslinging will dampen his resolve to fight Zanu PF, which he accused of destroying the country.
“Have I become compliant to Zanu PF? We have our own reasons and it doesn’t necessarily mean that our actions are determined by my staying in that Highlands house, that house people always want to make an issue of,” he said.
The MDC-T leader said it was not true that the Highlands house had compromised his position, saying he was prepared to vacate it and reside in his rural Buhera home area.
“I can go and live in Strathaven or any other place. It will not change my ideas, it will not change my focus and people want to make that as an excuse, but they don’t know the background,” he said.
“I am the least materialistic person and anyone can confirm that. I can go and live under a tree. I can go and live in Buhera in my rural area.
“The fundamental thing is that when you have a contract, it must be observed, that’s the legal position.”
Tsvangirai said President Robert Mugabe knew about that contractual agreement made during his tenure as Prime Minister.
The MDC-T leader has been accused of double standards by continuing to live in a government house, while others say it illustrates his penchant for luxury and being indifferent to the plight of suffering Zimbabweans.
Tsvangirai said the root problem in Zimbabwe was about politics and not the economy. The former Premier accused Zanu PF of evading dialogue to map the way forward on the Zimbabwean crisis.
“The problem is not economical, but a political one. As MDC-T, we are not the cause of polarisation,” he said.
“We have called for dialogue to resolve this issue, we have called across the political divide that we need to put all our hands together to solve this problem (and) what is the answer from Zanu PF? ‘No, no, we don’t want you, we will go it alone.’ Now these are the consequences of defiance by Zanu PF, or the arrogance by Zanu PF.”
Tsvangirai said he was preparing for a political solution and his party was regrouping to win the next elections
He also denied allegations that his party was on the brink of a split following reports there were sharp divisions in the opposition, with the MDC-T plotting the ouster of Kuwadzana East MP Nelson Chamisa.