By Tichaona Sibanda
MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai will remain the face of the party and has the full backing of the Women’s Assembly, a senior party official said on Wednesday.
The backing from the Assembly led by Theresa Makone, the former Home Affairs Minister and a Tsvangirai loyalist, comes at a time when some senior party members have turned against the ex-premier as the battle for the presidency intensifies ahead of the 2016 elective congress.
But Lynette Karenyi, the national organising secretary of the Women’s Assembly, told SW Radio Africa’s Hidden story that Tsvangirai still enjoys the full backing of women in the party, especially from those in rural areas.
Karenyi also raised concerns about the party’s image and the negative impact it is having, due to growing calls for Tsvangirai to step down. She said those clamouring to see the back of the veteran leader should always be reminded that he is not to blame for the defeat at the hands of ZANU PF.
‘We are surprised that some senior people in the party now believe that Tsvangirai is the reason why the party lost the election. They forget that he is actually a victim of electoral fraud, including many of us former legislators who were cheated of victory by ZANU PF,’ Karenyi said.
The former Chimanimani West MP said they would like to let Zimbabweans know that they are always and consistently ready to serve the party led by Tsvangirai.
‘As the Women’s Assembly, we are mothers and we are well aware of the concerns of the party and this makes us suitably placed to know the needs of the people and address them.
‘This is why we are saying lets stick with Save (Tsvangirai’s totem) until the next elections,’ said Karenyi. SW Radio Africa
