Tsvangirai 'expels' leader of faction that resolved to suspend him

HARARE, Wednesday

Former Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is battling to regain control of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) after he was suspended at the weekend alongside his top six lieutenants.

The beleaguered opposition leader on Tuesday held a meeting with his loyalists where they resolved to ‘expel’ secretary-general Tendai Biti and 10 other legislators from the party.

Mr Biti, a former finance minister in the inclusive government that ended last year, leads the faction that resolved to suspend Mr Tsvangirai for allegedly violating the constitution of the MDC.

The faction reportedly controls assets of the party and has moved to protect MPs sympathetic to it from being expelled by parliament.

MUGABE BLAMED

Mr Tsvangirai after marathon meetings told journalists that President Robert Mugabe was behind the rebellion in his party. He dismissed suggestions that the infighting would strengthen the 90 year-old’s grip on power.

Based on popularity

“It does not make Mugabe stronger, far from it. (President) Mugabe’s strength cannot be based on power, it has to be based on popularity,” Mr Tsvangirai said.

“I don’t believe President Mugabe has the popular support of the people of Zimbabwe.”

He said his long time rival survives on rigging elections and intimidating people.

“I have never lost an election in this land,” he said. “The solid support that we enjoy in this country is unquestionable.”

Mr Tsvangirai accused Mr Biti of selling out saying he had betrayed Zimbabweans who believed in change.

'CLANDESTINE' MEETING

“They have betrayed the people. Their actions speak for themselves, why would you clandestinely organise a meeting,” he said.

Mr Tsvangirai said the Saturday meeting by Mr Biti and his team was secretly planned without the knowledge of the party.

“For a very long time we believed Tendai Biti believed in something, the man does not believe in anything other than his hypocrisy," he said.

Hundreds of Tsvangirai supporters sang and danced outside Harvest House, the party’s headquarters, where the former premier addressed them.

The MDC, formed in 1999, first split in 2005 after Mr Tsvangirai rejected a vote by the party’s top decision-making body to participate in senate elections.

He was accused of being a dictator, the same allegations he is facing now.

MDC is considered the most formidable opposition to President Mugabe’s rule since he came to power in 1980.