Tsvangirai's tactics criticised by party insiders

There is growing dissatisfaction in the ranks of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) over an apparent lack of a strategy by the party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, for confronting the Mugabe regime.

Senior party officials have said Mr Tsvangirai's leadership flaws and "tactical miscalculations" are in danger of giving Robert Mugabe a lifeline and prolonging the crisis. Senior MDC officials expressed disquiet over his persistent failure to offer a clear direction.

"We haven't got a clear road map to end the Mugabe dictatorship other than just crying to regional leaders for their intervention," said one official.

"In the rough and tumble of African politics, nothing has ever been achieved by being a cry baby," said another associate of Mr Tsvangirai. "You ought to get your act together and do what we all know needs to be done in this continent to achieve power ... You confront your rival head on," the associate added.

Since pulling out of the presidential run-off, Mr Tsvangirai has been moving in and out of the Dutch embassy to address the press, but without offering a clear direction to his supporters over his party's next course of action. The decision to boycott the presidential run-off was taken without consultation, some officials revealed.

"In all probability, we would have all supported the decision to boycott the poll if he had consulted us ... What we would have insisted on, however, would have been a clear strategy about what to do next after the boycott. As things stand now, there is no clarity on the way forward other than crying for [the South African President, Thabo] Mbeki's ever-elusive help," said a leader of one civic group.

"Even the decision to seek refuge in the Dutch embassy itself exemplifies his unwise thinking, since this will only strengthen the perception created by Mugabe that Morgan is in cahoots with Western powers," a party official said.

Internal critics of Mr Tsvangirai, a former trade unionist, say they are unwilling to speak out for fear of being sidelined. Several of those contacted by The Independent complained the party's decision-making processes did not allow for open debate.

Mr Tsvangirai has been criticised by Zimbabwean bloggers for pulling out of the run-off election: "You [Tsvangirai] are slowly letting the people of Zimbabwe down. You should not be the one under pressure, that is for Mugabe. But you are falling into his trap and playing his game," a blogger called Chinja wrote on www.sokwanele.com.

One party official said: "He [Mr Tsvangirai] ought to inspire his supporters to take to the streets [in civil disobedience]. His problem is that he is too cautious. The masses are on his side, but they will only do so if he leads them into that kind of action. They will not take to the streets if they know their leader is in Dutch comfort."