(Last Updated on February 21, 2014 by Editor)
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly restructured the party ahead of congress, excluding senior members who have called for his resignation from the party’s hierarchy.
This comes as Mr Tsvangirai’s closest ally in the region, Botswana president Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, has asked him to step down.
Lt-Gen Khama is believed to have funded MDC-T during last year’s harmonised elections that were resoundingly won by President Mugabe and Zanu-PF.
Diplomatic sources said Lt-Gen Khama phoned Mr Tsvangirai soon after the assault on MDC-T deputy treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma and secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti by youths at Harvest House in his presence.
“President Khama phoned Mr Tsvangirai soon after the Harvest House violence and advised him to step down.
“He made it clear to him that while they supported the MDC-T, it was time for him to hand over the party leadership to someone else.
“He said they would not support the party if he remained at its helm against the people’s will,” a diplomatic source said.
“Mr Tsvangirai played down events in MDC-T, describing them as internal and minor. He said the people still wanted him to lead the party.”
Efforts to get a comment from the Botswana government were fruitless yesterday with its embassy in Harare saying it does not have
an ambassador as yet.
“We do not have an ambassador as yet. We have a deputy ambassador, but he has gone for a meeting,” said an embassy official.
Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka denied his boss had talked to his Botswana ally.
“There was never any such phone call. Tsvangirai never talked to Khama last week,” he said.
Mr Tsvangirai has refused to step down from the MDC-T leadership, saying only congress could remove him from power.