HARARE - MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he is here to stay and is ready for an early congress in order to put an end to calls for leadership renewal.
Shrugging off calls by some rebels within his MDC party for leadership renewal, Tsvangirai said only the people will remove him at a congress which is mandated with voting in and removing office bearers.
He said in order to put closure to the leadership renewal debate, an early congress is now in the offing.
“There is a perception that Tsvangirai anoda kufira muoffice, (wants to die in office) ndidzwirei tsitsi ini ndine makore mangani, ndini ndakunzi ndakuda kufira muoffice ko uyo (President Mugabe) ane makore mangani. Ini handidi kufiramo (How old is Mugabe, I don’t want to die in office), I know our constitution and when I should end and hand over power. Chandisingade ndechemunhu anoda kunditorera. (I can’t allow a coup to remove me).
Elton Mangoma, MDC’s deputy treasurer-general, threw the 15-year-old movement into turmoil when he penned a strongly-worded letter agitating for Tsvangirai to step down.
However, Tsvangirai has rallied grassroots support and yesterday was in Budiriro cementing his support.
Among those that have already come out in the open demanding or persuading Tsvangirai to quit as MDC leader are treasurer-general Roy Bennett, former organising secretary Elias Mudzuri and Mangoma, who was in charge of the purse before and during elections.
Speaking before hundreds of his supporters, Tsvangirai said there was no room for expulsions of “rebels” and the existing differences would be solved by an early congress.
“I am not going to order anyone out of the tent but if you choose for yourself. My thinking is, where we are going we actually need more people in the tent.
“The likes of (MDC 99 leader Job) Sikhala, Welsh (MDC-N founder Welshman Ncube) and (National Constitutional Assembly leader Lovemore) Madhuku must come back,” he said.
In a sign that all is not well in the MDC, the “rebels” who were slammed by Tsvangirai’s loyalists, did not show up for the rally.
Notable absentees were the party’s secretary general Tendai Biti, youth chairperson Solomon Madzore and Mangoma.
Tsvangirai, who has been at the helm of the party since its formation in 1999, said if the time comes, he will leave the post.
“In politics you should wait for your chance. I don’t want to die in office but ndotodawo kuzorora nebhebhi rangu riri paside. (I also want to rest and spend time with my wife).
“I actually want to go holidaying something that I haven’t been able to do because of Zanu PF.”
Turning to those who are agitating for an early congress, the 62-year-old opposition leader said all positions including of those who want him out will be up for grabs.
He warned his rivals that it is folly to start campaigning for posts now.
“Congress does not start now, it can only be held at the 11th hour, now if you want to start now, you will be exhausted when we get to the dates,” said a charged Tsvangirai.