Opposition starts to question leadership

ZIMBABWE’S fractured and frustrated political opposition is starting to question whether its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, can bring down President Robert Mugabe and his ruling ZANU-PF party.

Mr Tsvangirai, the leader of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party, yesterday accused the ruling party was stealing the general election and called on Zimbabweans to defend their vote.

But he did not make clear how the opposition would fight back, other than to say it would not be, as in the past, through the courts Mugabe has stacked with judges who support him.

Mr Tsvangirai’s call seemed soft and vague compared to that of the Rev Pius Ncube, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Bulawayo, who called last weekend for a non-violent uprising to bring down Mugabe.

As leader of the opposition, Mr Tsvangirai has also been assaulted and harassed.

Colleagues describe him as self-effacing and affable. But now, increasingly, some are saying the time for an affable opposition leader has passed.