MDC-T vice-presidents Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa
reportedly fought over their sitting arrangement in Parliament on Tuesday, as
the factional squabbles in the opposition party took a comical and farcical
turn.
On Tuesday, the two reportedly had an ugly spat in
Parliament, as they fought over a seat, before the party’s third
vice-president, Elias Mudzuri, intervened and cooled down the tempers.
“Khupe, as leader of opposition in Parliament, arrived a
bit late and found Chamisa sitting in her ‘place’,” a source revealed.
“The normal procedure is all MPs are supposed to give Khupe
the space she needs so she can sit in her usual position, but on Tuesday,
Chamisa flatly refused to move.
“There was a harsh exchange of words and Chamisa was heard
saying ‘I will not be forced to respect anyone. I am not moving’.
“A sulking and visibly-angry Khupe then retreated to chairs
normally reserved for chief whips.”
Another source, who witnessed the drama, said: “Mudzuri
later pleaded with Khupe to take her rightful position after Chamisa had
briefly walked out of the House.”
Chamisa professed ignorance of the incident, but was quick
to point out that Khupe did not have a seat reserved specifically for her.
“I am not aware of that. That is petty and it is being
driven by people, who want to major in minors,” he said.
“If anything, the front benches are reserved for opposition
leaders, not the leader of the opposition in Parliament.”
Khupe was not available for comment yesterday. Mudzuri confirmed the incident.
“I got there when it had already happened,” he narrated. “I
felt that people can have differences, but need to respect parliamentary
decorum.
“I just asked her (Khupe) to take her rightful position.
“Some of us are not worried about where we sit really.”
Khupe has served as MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai’s
deputy for more than 11 years and was re-elected to the position at the 2014
MDC-T congress, while Chamisa and Mudzuri were later appointed as deputies by
Tsvangirai after he disclosed he was battling with cancer of the colon.
Tsvangirai’s health took a nosedive early this month during
a meeting of principals of the opposition coalition, MDC Alliance, in Kadoma
and was airlifted to South Africa for medical attention.
Khupe, who of late has been at loggerheads with Tsvangirai
over the party’s involvement in the MDC Alliance, immediately took over as
“acting president”, amid reports that Chamisa had positioned himself to succeed
the former Prime Minister in the event that he gets indisposed due to ill
health.
“She actually spoke to Tsvangirai this week,” another
source said.
Khupe had not spoken to Tsvangirai since she was harassed
by rogue party youth last month.
Chamisa is now accused of trying to unseat Tsvangirai by
whipping up public sentiment over his health.
Impeccable sources within the MDC-T told NewsDay there was
an elaborate plan by top officials in the party opposed to Chamisa, to drive a
wedge between Tsvangirai and his youthful deputy.
“Tsvangirai is being briefed daily by top officials, who
are advising him to clip Chamisa’s wings upon his return. Some have even
suggested that he be dumped from the post,” the source said.
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu, however, denied reports
that the party’s top leadership was fighting over Tsvangirai’s post.
“Our leader is Morgan Tsvangirai and he is in fact the MDC
Alliance presidential candidate for 2018. Tsvangirai is our best foot forward,
he is charismatic and he carries with him massive and breathtaking popular
appeal. No other politician in Zimbabwe can match Tsvangirai’s stature.
“We have got three vice-presidents and only one president.
There’s absolutely no turbulence in the cockpit. If anything, our party is on a
roll,” Gutu said.
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