
Party insiders want Makonethe MDC-T women’s assembly chairperson and husband Ian, Tsvangirai’s personal advisor, chucked out of the party for allegedly facilitating the Prime Minister’s “marriage” to Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo.
Sources said the issue was raised at party’s national executive meeting on Friday, but Tsvangirai said it could not be discussed as it was his “private life”. The sources said Tsvangirai yesterday blocked the matter again at the party’s national council meeting by acknowledging at the beginning of the meeting that he has had personal life problems which should not affect the party.
The MDC-T leader, said another source, pledged to address his inadequacies effectively, killing the impending planned onslaught against the Makones. “Several members of the national council wanted the matter discussed but PM blocked it by saying the meeting could not debate his private life,” said a source. “This for now killed our attempts to have Makone censured.”
Source said Tsvangirai blocked the issue because he did not want to be seen to be instigating the ouster of the Makones who he is very close to. “The issue is not dead,” said a senior party member.
“We want it raised again at a special national executive meeting provisionally set for January next year.” MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora could not be reached for comment as he was not answering his mobile phone.
Makone last year angered party colleagues when she tried to assist Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa to have his son Martin released from police custody when several MDC-T cadres were wallowing in jails on allegedly trumped-up charges.
She also courted the ire of party members when she elbowed out former Women’s Assembly chairperson Lucia Matibenga from her post in what some MDC-T activists said was not done according to procedure.