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Mr Tsvangirai

Patrick Chitumba Senior Reporter
EMBATTLED MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai was yesterday tried in absentia by a tribunal constituted by the opposition party’s “Renewal Team” faction amid allegations of intimidation of members of the tribunal by his loyalists. MDC renewal team spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed that the disciplinary hearing went on smoothly as scheduled at a private venue in Harare, but Tsvangirai boycotted. Tsvangirai stands accused of failing to provide “competent leadership” and acting in a manner detrimental to the party objectives, among other charges by the faction led by Tendai Biti.

“Tsvangirai’s disciplinary hearing went ahead today (yesterday). The tribunal met and considering the number of counts he is facing, the tribunal could not finish all the work today,” he said.
He added that the tribunal will meet to finalise the case on June 27.

Mafume said some of the tribunal’s members were intimidated by Tsvangirai’s faction.
“Because of the intimidation, we’re no longer at liberty to reveal to the media the names of the lawyers who presided over the matter.
“Only and after the ruling is announced will we reveal the names of the lawyers on the panel,” said Mafume.

“We must respect the process and once it comes to its conclusion, results would be made public.”
On Wednesday, reports suggested that Biti’s faction appointed a three-member panel consisting of lawyers Dumisani Mthombeni, Tafadzwa Mugabe and Gift Nyandoro.
Mugabe denied presiding over the matter.

“I can’t speak for these guys (MDC Renewal Team). I would if I could but my hands are tied right now,” said Mugabe.
On Tuesday, MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora told Chronicle that Tsvangirai would not attend the hearing initiated by Biti’s faction.

“President Tsvangirai cannot appear at a hearing of another party. These people have formed their own political party and there would be no hearing that he would attend,” said Mwonzora.