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TIME UP? . . . “Succession” is going to be part of the MDC-T discourse in the short term to medium term as the party grapples with “Tsvangexit”

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s hospitalisation for colon cancer treatment in South Africa has reportedly paralysed the opposition party, with a number of activities said to be in limbo.

This has, however, been denied by the party’s spokesman, who says Mr Tsvangirai will soon bounce back “with a bang”.

Mr Tsvangirai announced recently that he was battling colon cancer and is receiving chemotherapy at a South African hospital.

MDC-T sources said the party was set to hold meetings to reorganise itself from branches, district and provincial level and to fill vacancies following the expulsion of party members who defected to Renewal Democrats.

Also lined up was a meeting to come up with guidelines of holding primary elections ahead of the 2018 general elections.

“The election directorate led by the secretary for election Mr Murisi Zwizwai ought to meet in order to come up with guidelines for primary elections.

“We want to have guidelines that we should then test on feasibility before implementation, but still allow time to heal ahead of the polls.

“But for that we need to get guidance from president Tsvangirai. That guidance cannot be obtained now because of his condition,” said one source.

Another source said the party sought to come up with a funds mobilisation strategy and explore ways to reunite with its traditional funders and that required the guidance of Mr Tsvangirai.

“We need guidance from Mr Tsvangirai on which benefactors to be approached and who should approach which funder and so on.

“There are some funders who should be approached by the president himself.

“We still remain hopeful that we will meet our set targets on time because we are facing a watershed election,” another source, who is a member of the national executive said.

Contacted for comment, MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu admitted that Mr Tsvangirai was not participating in party activities owing to ill-health.

“The MDC is very much alive and kicking and we remain the political party of choice in Zimbabwe.

“We are the real deal; the only game in town. Party activities and meetings are going on as scheduled and our membership is actually growing in leaps and bounds.

“The MDC is the government-in- waiting and of course, Morgan Tsvangirai is the most popular politician in Zimbabwe.

“He is on the recovery path and believe you me, he will soon be back with a very big bang. Just watch this space.”

Other sources said Mr Tsvangirai’s ailment had made planning of party activities difficult as there was no guarantee that he would be able to attend.

This followed his failure to attend the party’s demonstrations in Bulawayo and Mutare last month.

MDC-T vice president Ms Thokozani Khupe had to move in to lead party supporters as Mr Tsvangirai failed to attend the two events.