Tsvangirai slams violence

By Mugove Tafirenyika

HARARE – Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday slammed youths who assaulted secretary general Tendai Biti and deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma on Saturday.

Biti, Mangoma, youth assembly secretary-general Promise Mkwananzi and others were allegedly attacked when they stepped outside Harvest House soon after Tsvangirai had finished holding a meeting with 210 MDC district chairpersons, who gave him a ringing endorsement amid calls for his ouster.

Addressing thousands of party supporters at Glen Norah Community Hall in Harare, Tsvangirai condemned the youths saying they had deviated from the party’s founding principles of tolerance.

“Yesterday we had our meeting with district chairpersons from all over the country but after the meeting at Harvest House, there was chaos outside where some national executive members were blocked by rowdy youths from leaving,” Tsvangirai said.

“I unreservedly condemn that behaviour. As a party, we do not believe in ‘mobocracy’ but I know that some people will be angry and emotional.”

The former prime minister said the party youths were either possessed by a violence demon or were drunk and speculated that they could have been planted by his political opposition Zanu PF to tarnish the image of the MDC.

“I know there could have been infiltrators, agent provocateurs who want to tarnish the image of the party yet it is known that we have been victims of State-sponsored violence ourselves,” Tsvangirai said.

“They want to turn the tables now and say we are violent and that they are Saints.”

Turning to his internal foes, Tsvangirai said they were wasting time by seeking to oust him as he was not prepared to let go before “attaining our objectives”.

He said the MDC was formed by the poor, students, civic society and workers, before it was open to all.
The veteran opposition leader warned those pushing for his ouster.

“Musateye nzou neriva (Do not waste your time trying to trap an elephant using a snare), we have come a long way with this struggle and it is not a stroll in the park,” Tsvangirai said.

The meeting was attended by MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe, national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, deputy secretary-general Tapiwa Mashakada  among others. Biti, Mangoma and youth assembly president Solomon Madzore did not attend the rally. Daily News