Tsvangirai promises ‘a storm’

1:CITY>, on Sunday vowed to organise massive demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe’s government.

In his acceptance speech delivered to about 15 000 enthusiastic Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters at the City Sports Centre in Harare, Tsvangirai, warned of “a long bustling winter across the country.”

“From today, fellow Zimbabweans, kindly save a penny and stock up where possible. A storm is upon the horizon,” Tsvangirai said.

“I promise to lead from the country. I promise to use all available resources and will-power to see off the tyranny in Zimbabwe today; to assist in putting together the building blocks for a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning,” he said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Zimbabwean government over Tsvangirai’s threats. But Zimbabwe’s State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa has in the past threatened to deal with Tsvangirai if he organised street protests against the government. A fired up Tsvangirai warned Mugabe to brace for “a long bustling winter across the country”.

“We are our own liberators. Merely assuming an early end for a dictator can be wishful thinking. You may have as many wish lists as possible; the bottom line is that we must rise and confront what is before us,” said Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai also promised to hand over power once Zimbabwe was restored to full democracy.

“It has never been my intention to hold on to power after the people have liberated themselves from this dictatorship. My contract with the people does not extend beyond a certain time-frame.

“A new Zimbabwe, a new beginning has no room for life presidents. My wish is to execute our mandate in an honest and vigorous manner; preside over a transition to full democracy and pass on the baton to another Zimbabwean.

“I believe there must be an exciting life for a pensioner – whether that pensioner is a peasant, former factory cleaner or a former president. I pledge to honour my word.” – ZimOnline

MDC congress venue plunged into darkness

HARARE – A venue hosting a congress of Zimbabwe’s splintered opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party loyal to Morgan Tsvangirai was last night plunged into darkness after a power failure.

The state-run Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) only managed to restore power supplies to the City Sports Centre, the congress venue, after two hours.

But there were no surprises at the two-day congress which ended on Sunday after Morgan Tsvangirai was re-elected president of the splintered party with Bulawayo legislator Thokozani Khupe being elected deputy president after beating off challengers Gladys Mtombeni and Lovemore Moyo.

Isaac Matongo was elected chairman while former legislator for Chimanimani legislator Roy Bennett was elected treasurer.

Former Harare mayor Elias Mudzuri was also elected the party’s organising secretary while Nelson Chamisa was elected the party’s spokesperson after their opponents withdrew from the race at the last minute.

Dennis Murira lost to one M Komichi for the deputy organising secretary’s post.

Harare lawyer, Tendai Biti is the new secretary general of the party and will be deputized by Tapiwa Mashakada whom he had earlier trounced for the secretary general’s post. – ZimOnline