Moyo seen dumping Khupe

MDC-T chairman Lovemore Moyo is on the verge of dumping Thokozani Khupe who broke away from the mainstream opposition party following a vicious power struggle, sources have said.

Khupe, who has been challenging new MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa for the control of the party, announced on Sunday that she was breaking ranks to join former vice president Joice Mujuru's People's Rainbow Coalition.

Sources said Moyo was distancing himself from the break-away group and has now set his sights on taking over from Khupe.

MDC-T's national council is expected to formally show Tsvangirai's former deputy the door when it meets in Harare on Friday.

Khupe is accused of absconding party meetings and several other misdemeanors

According to sources, the speaker of parliament is the front runner in the race that might also feature MDC-T acting spokesperson Thabitha Khumalo and founding youth assembly secretary general Dr Bekithemba Mpofu.

Khupe's faction appears rooted in Matabeleland and if claims that Moyo has already jumped ship are true, source said, the project will die a still birth.

Last month, Moyo claimed MDC-T had been hijacked by the "Lacoste cabal" when Chamisa was pushing to take over the running of the party.

 "As we speak, the MDC-T Lacoste cabal is running away with the party, violating every known rule, principles and values, including the party constitution," Moyo told the Zimbabwe Independent at the time.

Moyo's return is likely to bolster Chamisa's credential especially in Matabeleland where the party will be weakened by Khupe's departure.

Khumalo, a long time Khupe rival, could be Moyo's main challenger because of the gender card.  

On the other hand, Mpofu is a close associate of Chamisa and is one of the longest serving party leaders.

His backers say he will bring stability to the crisis torn party, which is struggling for cohesion after Tsvangirai's death last month.