THE MDC-T party has dismissed as “hogwash” claims its leader, still a guest of the State at a posh Harare villa, is nearly destitute as the ...
THE MDC-T party has dismissed as “hogwash” claims its leader, still a guest of the State at a posh Harare villa, is nearly destitute as the opposition party struggles with its finances after being ditched by donors.
While prime minister in the coalition government, Tsvangirai lived large and was linked to a string of lovers. He married one and promptly paid her a six figure sum to renounce her spousal claims and enable him to hop onto another.
But the good times appear to be gone.
According to the weekly Independent newspaper, MDC-T legislators have been asked to contribute $50 per month each to help with the upkeep of the party leader.
“Since his defeat in last year’s elections, Tsvangirai, and our party, have been struggling financially. We are really broke,” said a party insider who was not named.
“The party is penniless and can’t afford the wage bill anymore, which is around plus, minus US$40 000. Despite claims that our members and supporters will fund the party, it’s clear they can’t afford to do that.
“People are already struggling and suffering due to the current economic problems and have no money to fund a party,” a senior official also told the publication.
“That’s why we as a party are now reengaging donors looking for funding. As for Tsvangirai himself, he is one of the worst affected party leaders because he has no professional qualifications to fall back on.
“He is badly broke and is relying on friends and party members for help to get the barest means of support and sustenance. He is not destitute but he is living a hand-to-mouth existence, getting just enough to live on.
“MPs are supposed to contribute US$50 a month towards his upkeep, but some pay and some don’t. Things are very hard.”
The allegations were however denied by party spokesman Obert Gutu.
“Such rumours are hogwash; our president is not destitute. He is party president and it is not the duty of the legislators to look after his upkeep,” Gutu said.
“We are not seeking donors for that. We are a party that is busy restructuring and that cannot be done without financial resources.”
Party legislators could not be expected to have the resources to look after Tsvangirai when they themselves were not being paid their dues by the government, he added. New Zimbabwe
While prime minister in the coalition government, Tsvangirai lived large and was linked to a string of lovers. He married one and promptly paid her a six figure sum to renounce her spousal claims and enable him to hop onto another.
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| MDC-T denies Tsvangirai nearly destitute |
According to the weekly Independent newspaper, MDC-T legislators have been asked to contribute $50 per month each to help with the upkeep of the party leader.
“Since his defeat in last year’s elections, Tsvangirai, and our party, have been struggling financially. We are really broke,” said a party insider who was not named.
“The party is penniless and can’t afford the wage bill anymore, which is around plus, minus US$40 000. Despite claims that our members and supporters will fund the party, it’s clear they can’t afford to do that.
“People are already struggling and suffering due to the current economic problems and have no money to fund a party,” a senior official also told the publication.
“That’s why we as a party are now reengaging donors looking for funding. As for Tsvangirai himself, he is one of the worst affected party leaders because he has no professional qualifications to fall back on.
“He is badly broke and is relying on friends and party members for help to get the barest means of support and sustenance. He is not destitute but he is living a hand-to-mouth existence, getting just enough to live on.
“MPs are supposed to contribute US$50 a month towards his upkeep, but some pay and some don’t. Things are very hard.”
The allegations were however denied by party spokesman Obert Gutu.
“Such rumours are hogwash; our president is not destitute. He is party president and it is not the duty of the legislators to look after his upkeep,” Gutu said.
“We are not seeking donors for that. We are a party that is busy restructuring and that cannot be done without financial resources.”
Party legislators could not be expected to have the resources to look after Tsvangirai when they themselves were not being paid their dues by the government, he added. New Zimbabwe
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