It has emerged that “another split is possible anytime, and over any issue one can imagine”, according to a senior party official.
There is also a lot of infighting for powerful positions such as that of secretary general, while camps along regional and tribal basis also exist. Tsvangirai himself leads his own faction, which includes several MPs and secretary general, Tendai Biti.
“This main faction has been in existence since before the split and fought running battles with former secretary general Welshman Ncube,” a senior official said. “It’s primary role is safeguarding Morgan’s authority as well as implementing his plans in terms of power distribution. An example is the issue of the Women’s Assembly in which Theresa Makone was backed by Tsvangirai’s faction.”
Opposing this group is that led by deputy secretary general, Tapiwa Mashakada, who, just like Ncube during his days at Harvest House, is branded all sorts of names, including that of CIO operative.
“Mashakada has always been a problem since the formation of the party,” a member loyal to Tsvangirai said. “He is very ambitious and wants the powerful position of secretary general. He is the one most opposed to the talks, especially the secrecy around them, and spearheaded an anti-Biti campaign.”
Mashakada’s faction reportedly comprises young MPs such as Paul Madzore, Amos Chibaya and Emmanuel Chisvuure, who have all been attacked by pro-Tsvangirai youths allegedly for their support for the ousted Lucia Matibenga.
Mashakada has denied leading a faction as well as being linked to the CIO. “That is not true, I am a member of the MDC and a committed leader of the party,” he said.
Former deputy secretary general, Gift Chimanikire, who once defected to the Mutambara faction, often aligns himself with the Mashakada outfit but a senior source said, “Chimanikire has his own ambitions and in fact wants to be president of the party. In his own smaller way, he has a faction although pathetically ineffective because he lost a lot of clout when he defected.”
A powerful cliché of Karangas from Masvingo Province is a threat to Tsvangirai’s authority, comprising former Harare mayor Elias Mudzuri, secretary for international affairs, Elphas Mukonoweshuro and party spokesman Nelson Chamisa, among others. This faction, whose major trump card is Chamisa, a youthful leader commanding a lot of power on the ground due to his background as former youth leader and student activist, has given Tsvangirai a serious run over the Women’s Assembly issue.
Mudzuri, who is also the party’s organizing secretary, wrote a letter to Tsvangirai protesting the ouster of Matibenga and calling for the reversal of the decision. Chamisa has also resolutely remained opposed to the election of Makone.
“The Manyikas (from Manicaland) and Ndebeles also have their own camps for strategizing towards gaining power and position within the party, with the likes of Innocent Gonese from Manicaland and Lovemore Moyo from Matabeleland harbouring ambitions for top posts,” a source added.