The alleged bad blood between MDC-T leader Morgan
Tsvangirai and his deputy Thokozani Khupe has cast a shadow over the
opposition’s prospects in next year’s elections.
Tsvangirai and Khupe have clashed publicly over the former
prime minister’s push to unite opposition parties, with the former Makokoba MP
insisting that the MDC-T does not need any alliances in Matabeleland.
The two’s relationship also came under scrutiny last week
when the MDC-T leader slapped down the former deputy prime minister after she
suspended the party’s Matabeleland South chairperson Salani Moyo.
Tsvangirai reversed the suspension and Khupe is now facing
an investigation over her conduct. The former trade unionist has also been
accused of fighting fellow deputy party president Nelson Chamisa as they seek
to outdo each other in the battle to succeed Tsvangirai.
Khupe (TK), who has in the past refused to talk to the
media about her troubled relationship with Tsvangirai, opened up to our senior
parliamentary reporter Veneranda Langa (VL) in a rare interview. She dismissed
reports of an alleged tiff with both Tsvangirai and Chamisa.
Khupe also spoke about her recent academic achievements
where she graduated with a Ph.D from the University of Zimbabwe. Below are
excerpts from the interview.
VL: The media has been awash with allegations that you have
crossed swords with Tsvangirai, what is your relationship like?
TK: Tsvangirai and I have enjoyed a good working
relationship that has spanned three successive congresses in the 11 years that
I have been his deputy.
As you will know, this relationship goes beyond MDC-T. when
president Tsvangirai was secretary-general of the main body of the Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), I was the secretary-general of the women’s
national advisory council, the women’s wing of ZCTU.
Our relationship has always been a mutually beneficial one
for the sake of fulfilling the mandates the people of Zimbabwe have bestowed on
us for the past three decades.
The media has a very important developmental and critical
role to play in society and how they play their role is absolutely their
business.
VL: Is it true or false that you have also crossed swords
Chamisa over the Tsvangirai succession issues? How is your relationship with
Chamisa?
TK: Honourable Nelson Chamisa and I can never carry any
swords against each other because we are enjoined to fulfil the aspirations of
millions of Zimbabweans who know that MDC-T is the alternative that can bring
them change and give them hope.
I, therefore, enjoy good working relations not only with
Chamisa, but with the rest of my colleagues in the MDC-T.
VL: Since Tsvangirai is not well, do you feel that the
succession debate should begin within the MDC-T?
TK: Firstly, I come from the old school of thought that
never had this new discourse of having succession debates when someone is still
in their seat and doing their best in fulfilling their mandate to the
satisfaction of the party membership.
And secondly, I have full confidence in the MDC-T
membership, including the president, that they know what issues are pertinent
at which period of the political life of our party.
Right now, the focus is on voter registration for the 2018
elections as we pick up pace in our campaign.
Congressional topics will only duly arise at our next
congress in 2019. At this moment, any other business outside voter registration
and winning the 2018 elections is a non-issue as far as I am concerned.
VL: What is your personal view on the MDC Alliance? Do you
think you can win elections without an opposition alliance?
TK: My views on the MDC Alliance are a matter of public
record, and I have no intention of washing dirty linen in public.
VL: Is the MDC-T well-prepared to contest Zanu PF leader
Emmerson Mnangagwa during the 2018 elections, especially since he seems to be
coming up with policies which are very similar to those of the MDC-T?
TK: MDC-T has been contesting Zanu PF and winning
elections, which have been rigged because of the superior appeal of our
policies to the voting public of Zimbabwe.
The current “old-new” face of Zanu PF has been a senior
leader in this party all along, and nothing new should be read from his
posturing for the sake of 2018 elections.
Business as usual in Zanu PF means corruption, violation of
the rule of law, lack of a business approach in the running of our economy and
a government culture that manipulates the poor and the vulnerable for the
longevity of their political leadership.
The superiority of MDC-T’s policies is beyond any doubt
[and] that is why Zanu PF has only resorted to rigging and using all state
machinery in order to snatch successive election victories from us since 2000.
Half a dose of our policies in the inclusive government
brought about the only period of peace and prosperity in Zimbabwe since
independence.
For this reason, we are doubling our focus on the 2018
elections to see that they are de-militarised and reach an international
standard of being deemed as free, fair, and credible.
VL: As a female leader who is also educated — with a Ph.D
—do you think there is room in the MDC-T for a female president? Do you have
those ambitions?
TK: It is my wish that Zimbabwe will come to a time where
its citizens will not be judged according to their gender, race, creed or tribe
but according to their capabilities, moral authority and character.
As a female politician, I draw inspiration from such iconic
female leaders as former president of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whom I had
the privilege of spending time with during my tenure as deputy prime minister
and others like Hillary Clinton. I am also a believer in the breaking of the
glass ceiling by the girl child.
VL: You are passionate about cancer issues, how far has the
Thokozani Khupe Foundation gone in assisting cancer patients?
TK: My foundation has faced a lot of challenges given the
prevailing economic conditions.
It has been difficult to assist individual cancer cases
because we are yet to secure funding for such purposes.
VL: Any good stories to tell from the Thokozani Khupe
Foundation, or challenges?
TK: The foundation has been able to reach out to the
communities on awareness programmes aimed at giving information and tips on how
to detect cancer early.
Early detection of cancer plays a very critical role in the
survival of cancer patients. My foundation has, therefore, sought to make early
awareness and detection of cancer its priority by devoting much of our efforts
in that direction.
VL: What must government do to ensure that people with
malignant diseases like cancer, and women giving birth enjoy their rights to
health?
TK: In the interim, people with mean diseases like cancer,
HIV and Aids, diabetes and others must have their medicines and treatment
heavily subsidised through a health levy.
These diseases put huge pressure on the families already
suffering under the yoke of a failed health sector for decades.
These people must only be weaned off to their means once
the economic situation improves and all people are under the cover of health
insurance.
As for women giving birth, they must be able to deliver
without any user-fee because theirs is a national duty that has to be
performed.
During the inclusive government I lobbied for this policy
and it bore fruit. User-fees contribute to high maternal and infant mortality.
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