MDC structures in massive consultations over split

By Lance Guma
29 November 2005

Frantic consultations are currently taking place within Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change over the merits of splitting up. The party has been rocked by a rift within the top leadership over whether to participate in senate elections. Trouble began after party president Morgan Tsvangirai disregarded a narrow National Council vote in favour of participation citing the grassroots mood and how some members who voted had ignored the resolutions of their provinces. The other faction however says Tsvangirai in doing so had violated the party constitution.

With the impasse at leadership level deteriorating following Tsvangirai’s alleged suspension by a two member disciplinary committee, members in various wards, districts and provinces are meeting to debate the crisis. From Bulawayo, correspondent Lionel Saungweme told Newsreel how the wards in the city are meeting and debating the merits of splitting. Unfortunately for the party, emotions are running high and members aligned to the different factions are either refusing to meet or failing to agree on how the meetings should be structured.

Saungweme says although there seems to be consensus a split will not help either side, the attempt at suspending Tsvangirai had made the situation look irretrievable. Bulawayo, he says, is abuzz with rumours on the emergence of the United People’s Movement (UPM) led by Jonathan Moyo and any analysis of the benefits of a split in the MDC have to be taken in that context. Other press reports have predicted a fight for the MDC name and logo but all seem to ignore the possibility of the party’s February congress being the ultimate authority to resolve the crisis.