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Salaries discord tests Tsvangirai’s credentials http://www.thestandard.co.zw/
Saturday, 08 May 2010 19:27
THE public disagreement between Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Finance
Minister Tendai Biti over civil servants salaries has brought to the fore
the growing discord in both the inclusive government and MDC-T with analysts
warning that the crisis will escalate if not handled properly.
Biti, who is also MDC-T secretary-general announced that salaries for civil
servants had been frozen because the inclusive government was broke.
Tsvangirai, a former trade unionist used the May Day celebrations to thrash
Biti’s position.
Three days later the Finance Minister told journalists that he was sticking
to his position forcing Public Service minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro to
take an unprecedented dig on Biti in defence of the PM.
Mukonoweshuro accused his MDC-T boss of behaving like a “super minister” and
causing unnecessary anxiety over the civil servants’ salaries.
Tsvangirai has tried to downplay the tension, which last month culminated in
violent incidents at the party’s headquarters but analysts say it's time he
showed leadership for the good of his party and the government.
“We have to realise that policy contradictions are not uncommon in any
government,” said University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred
Masunungure.
“But the ramifications for both government and the public are dire. There is
considerable discord between the two most powerful people in government and
it does not bode well for the smooth implementation of policy.”
The unity government formed in February last year between Zanu PF and the
two MDC formations has not performed to expectations because of simmering
differences between the major parties.
The tension has been blamed on the fact that the parties are already in an
election mode with indications that an early poll could be organised next
year.
Tsvangirai and Biti’s differences have also been attributed to a power
struggle raging in the MDC-T.
Masunungure said the tension in the MDC-T echoed the problems in 2005 when
the then biggest opposition party split into two.
He said Tsvangirai must “nip the cancer in the bud” if he is to save his
party.
The split was blamed on differences between camps supporting the former
trade unionist and then secretary general Welshman Ncube.
“He is the leader of the party. He must exercise his authority to nip this
cancerous disease in the bud,” Masunungure said.
“Such bickering, especially if it is displayed in public can be very
destructive.”
The MDC-T has tried to draw attention away from the infighting saying the
reports of clashes were propaganda by Zanu PF, which is desperate to see its
most formidable opponent weakened before the next election.
Tsvangirai said: “The secretary general (Biti) and myself have been comrades
in this struggle for many years and have stood together throughout this
time, and we will not allow the enemies of real change to succeed in
derailing the people’s cause.
“The attempt to divide us has been expressed through violence and
disturbances, dubious teams sent to provinces, preaching gospels of
division, and baseless and defamatory documents being manufactured and
distributed to the press.”
But UK-based analyst, Brilliant Mhlanga believes the problem is that
Tsvangirai is failing to understand his role in the new dispensation.
“It is quite unfortunate that Biti is about to be crucified for telling what
appears to be a clear government position,” he said.
“In government everyone, it would appear, acknowledges that there is no
money and Biti as the holder of the purse is speaking with that in mind and
as an informed person.”
He said the statements Tsvangirai made on May 1 were not different from the
promises he gave to civil servants that they would be paid salaries in
foreign currency on the day he was sworn in.
It took the cash-strapped government almost five months to fulfill its
promises but the public servants were receiving $100 allownces since
February.
Although Mhlanga and Masunungure said it was too early to speak of another
split in the MDC-T, the discord may have serious ramifications for the party
especially if there is an election next year.
The party launched an investigation into the assault of its national
director Toendepi Shone in disturbances that exposed the widening divisions
and the special committee is yet to submit its report to the leadership.
MDC-T remains the biggest threat to Zanu PF, which has also battled
factionalism since its formative years.
BY KHOLWANI NYATHI
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