The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will boycott the upcoming Senate poll in Zimbabwe, the party’s president, Morgan Tsvangirai, recently. This despite the fact that the majority of the party’s national executive council voted in favour of participation. Analysts believe the decision is a double-edged sword that will intensify pressure on President Robert Mugabe, but could potentially also split the opposition party.
What was the decision of the MDC council regarding the Senate elections?
The issue was put to the vote through a secret ballot; 66 of the councillors present cast their vote, 31 councillors voted against participation and 33 voted for participation. Two ballot papers were deemed spoilt.
Why didn’t the majority vote carry the day?
Morgan Tsvangirai, who is on record for agitating for non-participation, disagreed with the outcome of the vote and felt that it undermined the struggle the MDC is engaged in — the struggle of confronting Zanu-PF tyranny at every level — and that the Senate project is a Zanu-PF project. That is the position we find ourselves in now. The role the party is currently exercising is to ensure that the differences between the president of the party and the outcome of the vote do not in any way subvert the programmes of the party.
Isn’t it dictatorial of your leader to undermine a majority decision? Won’t it lead to a split?
Any leadership that is not capable of resolving a potentially divisive issue runs the risk of rendering the party irrelevant. The leadership of the MDC is aware of that, and it will not allow it to happen.
The president of the party has responsibilities that go beyond the outcome of a poll; he has to take cognisance of the views and sentiments of those who are not able to cast their vote in the national council elections. We therefore understand the stress the president of the party goes through in that regard. Our role as members of the national executive, and as colleagues, is to assist him in coming to terms with the implications of the outcome.
Isn’t this tantamount to Morgan Tsvangirai using strong-arm tactics to force through his position?
The party understands the president’s strong feelings about the issue of the Senate, particularly given the current economic hardships Zimbab-weans are going through. A responsible party president would feel that spending Z$50-billion on a moribund institution such as the Senate was irresponsible.
We, in the party, understand his sentiment in that regard. Our immediate responsibility is to reconcile the views of the party’s president with those who voted for participation in the national council elections.
What does this say about internal party democracy?
There is certainly internal party democracy. Subjecting our members to a secret ballot is to release them from undue pressure that might be executed upon them, and the fact that the president lost on an issue he feels strongly about is an indication of the level of internal democracy.
Is there a possibility that your position could be reviewed given the circumstances surrounding the outcome?
We are always reviewing every decision we take in light of changing political circumstances within the country. Such reviews are also carried out to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the party’s programmes.
The party is split as it is. What will you do to deal with the divisions?
As in any democratic institution, different views compete. It is a practical enhancement of democracy and it does not in any way represent a split.
We have structures of the party at every level, in every geographical area — the branches, wards, districts and the provinces. It is these structures that are being engaged. It is not as if we only wait for elections in order to mobilise our supporters. We are doing that all the time. Remember, since its formation six years ago, the party has fought numerous elections and that has heightened its state of preparedness.
The majority sentiment in your national council was to defy an ally in civil society that has called for a boycott of the Senate elections. Does this concern you?
We are always mindful of the pivotal role that civil society plays. It plays an important role in the political process in Zimbabwe and we will do everything to ensure that our collaborative processes are kept active. We are also mindful of the autonomous nature of relationships. That mutual respect strengthens the alliance. We operate on this basis.
Tsvangirai and MDC secretary general Welshman Ncube, who led opposing factions in the debate, did not take calls on Thursday morning