by Christopher Makaza
Former deputy leader of the MDC, Tendai Biti has reportedly activated the MDC youth militia groups to guard the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House (MRTH) against takeover by the Khupe faction.
The activation of the yob groups followed threat by the party’s secretary general, Douglas Mwonzora, to take over the MRTH, which is that party’s national headquarters.
A contact within the beleaguered party revealed that about 23 youths are already housed at MRTH going through rigorous training. The youths, according to the contact, have been instructed to pounce on anyone who attempts to seize the MRTH including the law enforcement agencies who might be enlisted by the Khupe faction to enforce the Court ruling.
Contact revealed that of the 23 youths, seven were drawn from Harare, five from Mutasa district in Manicaland, four from Matabeleland South, three from Mashonaland West while the other four are from Masvingo province.
Contact said the youths were promised by Biti, fortnight allowances of ZWL$5 000 each.
“Biti mobilised close to ZWL$12 million from an undisclosed source which will be channelled towards this project. The money will cater for all training needs including, food and allowances,” revealed the contact
The contact said the Nelson Chamisa faction was holding night meetings with the youths almost every day to discuss and perfect the project which he said only involved the top leadership.
MDC national youth secretary-general, Stephen Siziba was quoted in one of the private media as saying they will defend the envisaged takeover of MRTH with their blood.
“The attempt to take over MRTH will be resisted. We want to make it very clear in no uncertain terms that MRTH is our headquarters and we are to defend it with our blood,” threatened Siziba, adding that any attempt by the Mwonzora camp would mark the end of the national lockdown as they would invade the streets unleashing violence.
Apart from guarding the MRTH, the combative group also seeks to disrupt any Khupe and Mwonzora’s public meetings. To that effect, contact said the meeting that was organised by the In Defence of Morgan Tsvangirai Legacy (DMTL) in Mbare recently was reportedly abandoned after the brutes were unleashed on the organisers. The case was reported at Mbare under case number RRB 2252884
Contact said Biti had also operationalized the formation of a Mbare-based hit squad initially formed by former leader Nelson Chamisa and headed by his brother, Mbare legislator Starman Chamisa. The hit squad will descend on any dissenting voices in the beleaguered party
The hit squad consists of Harare Province Organising Secretary Danford Ngadziore, Harare Youth Assembly members Mafaiti Mubaiwa and Lovejoy Chitengu among a few others.
According to the contact, Biti has also activated the Vanguard group which was used by Chamisa during the early days of his ascendency to party presidency following the death of founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Chamisa once used the militia to attack Khupe during the battle to succeed Tsvangirai.
“Biti has also promised an undisclosed amount of allowances to the Vanguard and the hit squad. He also wants to use the youths to engage in massive demonstrations country-wide after the lockdown over the Supreme Court ruling which he claims was a ZANU PF project to weaken the opposition party,” added the contact.
The Supreme Court ruling has sent the entire MDC into panic mode particularly Biti and Welshman Ncube whose positions were put at stake since they were not part of the 2014 MDC structures recognised by the Supreme Court.
Mwonzora`s camp has since warned parliamentarians and councillors backing Chamisa that it would not hesitate to cut loose all those who would disobey its interim leadership.
