Home

Blog

Bio

Byo South Develop.

Photos

Reports

Archives

Links

Subscribe

Contact

Zimbabwe Independent
Augustine Mukaro

CLASHES erupted this week over the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)’s assets and areas of influence as the split in the party deepens.

The two factions locked horns over a motor vehicle on Wednesday that was in the Arthur Mutambara camp’s possession. It was seized in the centre of Harare in broad daylight by “youth militia” belonging to the Morgan Tsvangirai camp.

The Zimbabwe Independent last night established that the incident was reported to the police at Harare Central, IR number 032822.The vehicle in dispute is a white Nissan Hardbody registration AAB 79931.

This came after skirmishes among faction supporters during a poorly-attended rally addressed by Mutambara at St Mary’s in Chitungwiza on Sunday. The events make the projected bridge-building talks between the two sides brokered by Bulawayo MP David Coltart seem increasingly remote, observers say.

The MDC factions are on a collision course over the party’s assets that are a source of growing conflict. The assets at stake include the party’s Harvest House headquarters in central Harare, offices in Bulawayo, Hwange and an office stand in Kwekwe as well as almost 30 party vehicles.

Apart from buildings, there is also office furniture, equipment and computers.

“After the seizure of the vehicle from the Mutambara faction by activists from Morgan Tsvangirai’s group, this means the Tsvangirai camp now has 19 vehicles in its possession, while Mutambara’s group has eight,” a source said. “The Mutambara group has so far lost seven vehicles since the infighting began in October last year. There are also other things at the centre of the fight like equipment, faxes, photocopiers and no less than 30 computers.”

The source said Tsvangirai’s Strathaven home could also become part of the tussle because it was bought using party funds although it was registered in his name.

Zimbabwe Independent
Loughty Dube

MDC secretary for legal affairs, David Coltart, is in a dilemma over which side to back between Arthur Mutambara and the Morgan Tsvangirai factions, it has been established.

Mutambara’s faction has left the post of legal affairs secretary open as they wait for Coltart’s decision.

Coltart, who has said his political future will be decided after the final resolution of the MDC crisis, has repeatedly spurned overtures to join either camp.

During Mutambara’s congress in Bulawayo, Coltart was elected in absentia to the pro-senate executive as secretary for legal affairs, but he turned down the offer saying it was a mistake since he had indicated that he did not want to be elected to any position.

It emerged this week that the Mutambara faction has not filled the position.

Paul Themba Nyathi, the spokesperson for the camp, confirmed to the Zimbabwe Independent that the position of secretary for legal affairs had not yet been filled.

“We are still looking for a suitable candidate,” he said. “We have a lot of suitable candidates interested in the position but we want to choose the most eligible,” Nyathi said.

Sources this week however said the Mutambara faction was struggling to find a candidate.

“Ever since the congress, it has been difficult to find a suitable candidate to fill the legal affairs portfolio and the faction still believes that Coltart will change his mind and accept the position,” one source said.

Coltart is the only MP in the MDC who did not align himself with either of the factions and says his major commitment is to see the MDC problem solved first.

SW Radio Africa

A leading opposition legislator has said government can introduce as many laws as it wants but that will not stop the people’s quest for freedom and liberty.

Responding to government’s introduction of a new law to curb acts of international terrorism in the country David Coltart, MDC MP for Bulawayo South, said he had no doubt the new legislation will be used against people opposed to the tyranny of the regime and those opposed to its corruption and mismanagement.

Facing mounting pressure from opposition parties and civic groups government has responded by crafting a new law that could see opponents convicted of plotting to overthrow it, getting life sentences.

The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill (2006), published in the state controlled Herald Monday will provide for the curtailment of foreign and international terrorism, including mercenary activity.

Under the proposed legislation, it would be an offence to undergo training for foreign or international terrorism, to recruit persons to undergo such training, or to possess weaponry that would be used for the purposes of foreign or international terrorist activity.

Given that the ruling regime enjoys a comfortable majority in Parliament the proposed law is likely to sail through without a hitch.

Coltart said he is suspicious of it and wondered whether the legislation will be used for other purposes other than tracking down Al-Qaeda operatives and genuine terrorists.

‘For instance in November 2001, the government described me as a terrorist because it alleged I was involved in the disappearance of Cain Nkala,’ he said.

Coltart, a lawyer by profession, said the definition of terrorism by the Zimbabwe government was very different to what the rest of the civilised and democratic world call terrorists.