Tsvangirai Appoints 2 Vice Presidents
Tsvangirai, who was recently diagnosed with cancer of the colon, appointed Elias Mudzuri and Nelson Chamisa at a time the party is trying to come to grips with his ailment.
WASHINGTON DC — Movement for Democratic Change founding president and former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday increased the size of his party’s presidium by appointing Nelson Chamisa and Mudzuri as his two deputies. Tsvangirai announced the appointments at his Harare residence flanked by his wife, Elizabeth, and his spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka. This comes at a time when the opposition leader is battling cancer of the colon. Mudzuri welcomed the appointment saying he would work hard to ensure that the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe was completed. Tsvangirai said this move is meant to strengthen the party ahead of the 2018 elections, adding that the appointments would not affect his elected deputy, Thokozani Khupe. He said the economic situation prevailing in the country that saw many people countrywide protesting against the government in recent weeks needed the coming together of all pro-democracy force. In this context, Tsvangirai said there was need to establish a multi-partisan National Transitional Authority Tsvangirai also called President Robert Mugabe to leave office or face civil unrest. Some analysts like Claris Madhuku, director of the Platform for Youth Development, said Tsvangirai was laying his exit strategy plan by appointing Chamisa and Mudzuri as some of his deputies. He said this may cause internal fissures within the main opposition party. Madhuku says Tsvangirai’s action was above board as he is empowered to do any appointments by the party’s constitution. It still remains to be seen whether this move would strengthen or weaken the party, which was formed in 1999.