Khupe, Moyo rift dismissed

MDC-T national spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday dismissed as fictitious claims of a fallout between party deputy president Thokozani Khupe and Bulawayo provincial chairperson Gorden Moyo.

Mwonzora said party leader Morgan Tsvangirai had not been prompted to visit Bulawayo the alleged rift between the two, saying the weekend trip was aimed at getting in touch with the grassroots.

"Is there such a rift? That is not true. There is no rift between our Bulawayo provincial chairperson and vice-president," he said.

"It's just imaginations within some quarters of the media.

"The president is coming to get in touch with the party's grassroots and to that effect will address a rally on Saturday."

Khupe yesterday declined to comment on her reported rift with Moyo saying: "Can you call the people who told you? Go to the people who told you."

Efforts to get a comment from Moyo were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.

According to weekend reports, Moyo and Khupe allegedly fell out when the Makokoba MP reportedly courted the former deputy prime minister's political foe, Mzilikazi senator Matson Hlalo.

Khupe vacated the Makokoba seat in the run-up to last year's general elections paving the way for Moyo to contest.

She still got a place in the National Assembly courtesy of the newly introduced women's quota.

But an MDC-T insider yesterday said reports of a rift between Khupe and Moyo were true.

"The reports are true. Moyo and Khupe are no longer allies," the official said.

"They have been separated by the ongoing calls for leadership renewal by the likes of (suspended deputy treasurer-general) Elton Mangoma. What has unsettled Khupe is that if the renewal succeeds, Moyo might be elevated to the party's vice-presidency."

MDC-T has over the past few weeks been rough sailing after Mangoma called for Tsvangirai to step down to save the party.

Mangoma was assaulted by party youths loyal to Tsvangirai for making the calls.