Decision on MDC women’s executive deferred

By Lance Guma
05 November 2007

The MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai has deferred making a decision on the ouster of women’s assembly chairperson Lucia Matibenga, instead choosing to wait for a report from National Chairman Lovemore Moyo. A crunch meeting of the National Executive met through Saturday and Sunday to discuss several issues, including the controversial dissolution of the women’s assembly. On Monday party spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Newsreel it was wishful thinking on the part of those suggesting the party would split up over the Matibenga issue. He says despite their differences, delegates all acknowledged they were part of one family and would not allow side shows to detract from the crisis facing the country.

The MDC resolved to give Moyo an opportunity to report on the parallel congresses that took place in Bulawayo and elected both Matibenga and her rival Theresa Makone to the same position. ‘Media reports of cracks within the MDC represent the fanciful delusions of the regime and its surrogates who are working overtime to plot and sponsor confusion within the democratic movement,’ Chamisa said in a statement. He said the MDC would not be swayed by unnecessary sideshows that divert attention from the real issues. ‘The MDC has never preoccupied itself with individuals but with issues. We are a united family of democrats and we have openly debated our issues. This frankness and open debate has kept alive the internal democracy that we will continue to nurture and protect,’ he added.

Chamisa dismissed rumours there was disharmony in the party over the manner in which talks with Zanu PF were being handled, adding this was being promoted by people with a ‘death wish’ for the party. The weekend meeting however attracted intense media scrutiny, given Matibenga was barred from attending. Her rival Makone was also asked to leave the meeting, although slightly late into proceedings, when the discussion turned to the women’s executive. Despite conflicting accounts of what happened, the delegates seem to have failed to reach consensus on Matibenga’s ouster. Sources in the party say a middle of the road compromise is being worked out that will not embarrass either side of the divide and more time was needed to secure agreement on this.