By Rudo Saungweme
The divisions in the MDC have spilt into the late MDC founder, Morgan Tsvangirai`s family following disagreements over dress code at Tsvangirai`s memorial service which is set to be held on Saturday at his rural home in Buhera.
MDC wants its members to turn up in party regalia defying Tsvangirai’s family directive for everyone not to wear the party’s regalia on the memorial, Harare Post has learnt
Tsvangirai’s brother Manasa invited everyone who wishes to attend Tsvangirai’s memorial service indicating that MDC party regalia was not allowed.
“The other thing we would like to highlight is that, we hope and believe that people who are coming for this memorial, should not be seen wearing any political parties’ regalia. Instead we expect people to be wearing the regalia of the late Morgan Tsvangirai,” said the younger Tsvangirai, who is the family spokesperson.
Tsvangirai has also invited President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the event.
The late opposition politician’s daughter, Vimbai Java, who is also a Member of Parliament for Glen View South has supported the decision made by her family.
Java said that when her uncle made the decision, he knew that it was a memorial service and like a funeral, all people were welcome.
“This is a memorial service, not an MDC rally. Everyone who feels they want to attend, can do so, the church, civil society, political parties, individuals, and all. Although it is a memorial service for the MDC founding leader, we should also remember that he was once a Prime Minister, who served all the people of Zimbabwe, regardless of their political affiliation. When my uncle made the decision, he was possibly basing it on that idea that it is a memorial service and, like a funeral, all people are welcome,” she said.
MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora is also of the view that everyone is welcome to the event.
Speaking during a national executive committee meeting held last week, Mwonzora emphasised that the memorial service is a national event where everyone is free to attend.
“The memorial service of the late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai to be held on 4 May is a national event where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to attend,” he said.
He added that members will not be allowed to canvass for support wearing party regalia ahead of the party’s forthcoming elective congress.
However, members of the MDC party who are alleged to be closer to MDC leader Nelson Chamisa have vowed to go against the will of the family indicating that the life of the late MDC founder was largely about the opposition party even beyond the grave.
Speaking during a press statement on Tuesday, Party Spokesperson Jacob Mafume said that the MDC party is the family of MDC and will dictate the pace.
“As you remember Morgan Tsvangirai was the founder of MDC. He is red inside his blood, inside his grave and in heaven where he is. We are the family of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. The family of Tsvangirai is the MDC,” he said.
Political analysts have indicated the likelihood of chaos on the day as happened during the burial of Tsvangirai last year. Violence erupted because the party militia youth group, the Vanguard which is aligned to Chamisa was against the presence of MDC T leader, Thokozani Khupe who proved to be a threat to the rise of Chamisa to Presidency.
Those who were interviewed by the Harare Post have shown reluctance to attend the memorial service fearing that the dreaded Vanguard group would be present.
