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Mr Morgan Tsvangirai

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai returned home yesterday from South Africa where he was receiving treatment to a baptism of fire as some senior party members are doubting his capacity to contest in the 2018 elections.

Mr Tsvangirai, who is suffering from cancer of the colon, was airlifted to the neighbouring country last month and has not been seen in public since his health deteriorated.

His spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka yesterday said Mr Tsvangirai arrived in Harare in the company of his wife Elizabeth.

“President Morgan Tsvangirai touched down this afternoon from South Africa where he has been receiving routine medical treatment after he went public last year that he was suffering from cancer of the colon,” said Mr Tamborinyoka.

He said Tsvangirai hit the ground running and will be resuming his duties soon.

“Starting this weekend, president Tsvangirai will resume what he knows best, galvanising the nation to register to vote following a nationwide voter registration blitz that kicked off on Tuesday,” said Mr Tamborinyoka.

Last week MDC-T national executive member and Bulawayo South legislator Mr Eddie Cross insinuated that Mr Tsvangirai may not be able to take part in next year’s elections due to the aggression of his illness.

Writing on his blog, Mr Cross alleged that Mr Tsvangirai’s family was not confident that the MDC-T president would be able to contest next year’s election.

“Now, just as we expect a wave of support for our 2018 Chakachia programme, he is suffering from an aggressive form of colon cancer (sic),” wrote Mr Cross.

“He has been struggling with his treatment and the family is concerned that he might not handle the election and subsequently the responsibility of being President of a country in a deep crisis.

“After a life time of principled struggle, to have it all threatened by a disease in your body. Life can be a bastard at times.”

Already, there are calls within the MDC-T for Mr Tsvangirai to step down and pave way for the “more energetic” Mr Nelson Chamisa, one of his deputies.

The MDC-T leader comes back to face pressure from his lieutenants from Matabeleland around the formation of an opposition coalition.

The party was almost headed for a split over the formation of the MDC Alliance with Mr Tsvangirai’s deputy Ms Thokozani Khupe, party national chairman

Mr Lovemore Moyo and suspended national organising secretary Mr Abednico Bhebhe registering their objection to some elements of the coalition. — @nqotshili