Former MDC-T secretary-general and Finance Minister Tendai Biti has officially announced his departure from party politics, blaming entrenched selfishness, factionalism, and toxic internal disputes for his decision to step back from the national stage. His retirement marks the end of a political career spanning more than two decades—one that left a lasting, albeit polarising, imprint on Zimbabwe’s opposition movement.
Speaking to ZiFM Stereo this week, Biti described his withdrawal as a response to years of frustration with opposition infighting. “It’s embarrassing,” he said. “Particularly for people like me who have been in the trenches for a long time, who bear the scars of fighting.” He accused some fellow opposition leaders of abandoning principle in pursuit of personal gain. “All of us, all of them, are now waiting to receive vehicles, to get a call to go and see Victor. And that’s not good enough,” he added, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s controversial vehicle donation spree.
For Biti, the collapse of the MDC, once Zimbabwe’s strongest opposition party, remains his deepest regret. “It’s a pity we lost the MDC, because we had a home there… we destroyed the only home we had,” he lamented, reflecting on the party’s internal divisions and repeated splintering over the years.
Biti’s political journey began in 2000 when, as a human rights lawyer known for his sharp intellect, he won a parliamentary seat under Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC. His rapid rise saw him appointed secretary-general in 2005, becoming one of Tsvangirai’s closest lieutenants.
His most significant political breakthrough came in 2008 when he led negotiations to resolve the violent post-election crisis, paving the way for Zimbabwe’s Government of National Unity (GNU). From 2009 to 2013, Biti served as Finance Minister, earning recognition for stabilising an economy devastated by hyperinflation through dollarisation and fiscal discipline.
However, his career was not without controversy. Factionalism, defections, and accusations of arrogance marred his tenure. In 2014, Biti broke ranks with Tsvangirai, forming the MDC Renewal faction, which later became the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Critics argued that this split weakened the opposition at a critical time, suggesting that personal ambition sometimes overshadowed the collective struggle. Though he rejoined the opposition under Nelson Chamisa in 2018, repeated party splits had already eroded public trust.
Tendai Biti Exits Party Politics, Citing Infighting and Selfishness Among Opposition Leaders
Biti was often criticised for being combative and unapproachable, particularly towards journalists and ordinary citizens. His direct, sometimes abrasive style proved effective in parliamentary debates and negotiations, yet it alienated broader sections of the public. In contrast, Nelson Chamisa, who has been on a political sabbatical following the collapse of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), maintains strong grassroots support. Chamisa’s charisma and ability to connect with ordinary Zimbabweans have preserved his political relevance, whereas Biti’s exit has been met with more resignation than outcry.
Reflecting on his time in politics, Biti admitted to the personal toll of a life spent in constant struggle. “Every Saturday, every Friday I’m having a rally somewhere, I’m fighting somewhere, I’m issuing a statement somewhere. That has not been the case in the last three, four years and that’s not good enough,” he said, highlighting the exhaustion that contributed to his decision.
Rather than pursue yet another political platform, Biti now plans to focus on non-partisan civic engagement. He has called for a movement dedicated to defending Zimbabwe’s constitution, free from party affiliation. “We need to create a platform that is not political, that is not connected to any political party. Just to defend the constitution,” he said, citing the National Constitutional Assembly as a potential model.
Biti’s withdrawal underscores a broader trend of opposition fatigue in Zimbabwe. A generation of leaders, who once fought tirelessly for democratic change, now watches as political capital is increasingly traded for personal gain. While his exit marks the end of his pursuit of state power, Biti’s pivot to constitutional advocacy suggests that he intends to remain an influential figure in Zimbabwe’s civic space.
As Biti steps away from party politics, his legacy remains mixed: a skilled negotiator and economy stabiliser, yet a polarising figure whose decisions sometimes deepened divisions within the opposition. His next chapter, focused on constitutional protection and civic engagement, may yet redefine his role in shaping Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
Source- ZimEye
