Tsvangirai returns home to baptism of fire

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai returned home yesterday from South Africa where he was receiving treatment to a baptism of fire as some senior party members are doubting his capacity to contest in the 2018 elections.

Mr Tsvangirai, who is suffering from cancer of the colon, was airlifted to the neighbouring country last month and has not been seen in public since his health deteriorated.

His spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka yesterday said Mr Tsvangirai arrived in Harare in the company of his wife Elizabeth.

“President Morgan Tsvangirai touched down this afternoon from South Africa where he has been receiving routine medical treatment after he went public last year that he was suffering from cancer of the colon,” said Mr Tamborinyoka.

He said Tsvangirai hit the ground running and will be resuming his duties soon.

“Starting this weekend, president Tsvangirai will resume what he knows best, galvanising the nation to register to vote following a nationwide voter registration blitz that kicked off on Tuesday,” said Mr Tamborinyoka.

Last week MDC-T national executive member and Bulawayo South legislator Mr Eddie Cross insinuated that Mr Tsvangirai may not be able to take part in next year’s elections due to the aggression of his illness.

Writing on his blog, Mr Cross alleged that Mr Tsvangirai’s family was not confident that the MDC-T president would be able to contest next year’s election.

“Now, just as we expect a wave of support for our 2018 Chakachia programme, he is suffering from an aggressive form of colon cancer (sic),” wrote Mr Cross.

“He has been struggling with his treatment and the family is concerned that he might not handle the election and subsequently the responsibility of being President of a country in a deep crisis.

“After a life time of principled struggle, to have it all threatened by a disease in your body. Life can be a bastard at times.”

Already, there are calls within the MDC-T for Mr Tsvangirai to step down and pave way for the “more energetic” Mr Nelson Chamisa, one of his deputies.

The MDC-T leader comes back to face pressure from his lieutenants from Matabeleland around the formation of an opposition coalition.

The party was almost headed for a split over the formation of the MDC Alliance with Mr Tsvangirai’s deputy Ms Thokozani Khupe, party national chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo and suspended national organising secretary Mr Abednico Bhebhe registering their objection to some elements of the coalition. — @ nqotshili THIRTEEN elephants were found dead in a bush between Fuller Forest and Chikandakubi area outside Victoria Falls town on Wednesday in yet another suspected case of cyanide poisoning.

A villager from Chikandakubi reportedly bumped onto the 13 carcasses near Ngwengwe Springs as he was herding cattle on Wednesday.

The Chronicle was told that four of the elephants had been dehorned while rangers recovered ivory from the other nine.

All carcasses were bulging and almost bursting, raising fears of cyanide poisoning which is suspected to have been administered by poachers at a nearby salt lick, a source said.

“The elephants comprised nine males and four females, nine of which were adults and the other four were sub adults.

The carcasses were discovered by a villager who was rounding up his cattle and he alerted police and rangers,” said a source.

The source said rangers from Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and police officers attended the scene on Thursday.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo could not be reached for comment.

Between January and June 2017, a total of 14 elephants were lost due to poaching activities with two more incidents being recorded in the Hwange National Park two months ago.

However, Zimparks authorities have said collaborative efforts with other Government agencies have led to a downward trend in poaching incidents compared to last year.

Anti-poaching teams have lately been deployed to deal with the emerging poaching cases as the wildlife authority works tirelessly to fight the vice.

During the recently held third Defence and Security Chief Meeting hosted by Zimbabwe, member countries were challenged to domesticate the Sadc law enforcement and anti-poaching strategy.

An elephant costs about $50 000. — @ncubeleon