The tension between MDC-T leaders Nelson Chamisa and
Thokozani Khupe has escalated amid allegations the two are plotting to expel
each other from the party.
Chamisa and Khupe have been fighting over the control of
the MDC-T since the death of the party’s founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai last
month.
MDC-T sources said a meeting to be addressed by Khupe at
Bulawayo’s Amphitheatre today would push for Chamisa’s expulsion on allegations
of fanning violence, usurping power and violating the party constitution.
“The meeting is expected to endorse Khupe as party
president, and also deal with Chamisa who has been violating the constitution
and fanning violence in the party,” the source said.
However, Khupe’s personal assistant, Witness Dube, said his
boss had no time to discuss Chamisa whom she did not recognise.
“Dr Khupe has no time to discuss Chamisa, but the meeting
will be on Sunday [today] at the Amphitheatre and it will be attended by party
structures,” he said.
MDC-T organising secretary Abednego Bhebhe said they would
use the meeting to prepare for the forthcoming elections.
“We are going for elections and this will be the ideal time
to prepare, so this is what we will be doing,” he said.
Bhebhe refused to comment on the presidential candidate
they would be supporting during the meeting.
“Elections are not about the presidential candidate, there
are councils, and House of Assembly, so we have to lay the ground for all those
areas and that is what we will be doing,” he said.
Suspended party spokesperson Obert Gutu vowed his faction
was going for broke.
“All roads are leading to Bulawayo this Sunday,” he said.
“We are on a roll. Those that don’t come will miss out! There is neither
retreat nor surrender,” he said.
Dube claimed the Chamisa faction was plotting to derail
today’s meeting.
“It comes as no surprise that the enemies of
constitutionalism, democracy, rule of law and freedom of speech and association
are making every effort to disturb this meeting,” he said.
“Khupe wishes to advise all members and supporters to
remain calm, resolute and focused to finishing strong.”
Some MDC-T insiders said the Chamisa faction was also
considering life without Khupe with indications that the party’s chairman
Lovemore Moyo, acting spokesperson Thabitha Khumalo and founding youth
chairperson Bekithemba Mpofu were in the running to take her post. Standard
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