Khupe in 'plot' to unseat Tsvangirai

THE MDC-T Veterans Activists' Association (VAA) has accused the party's under-fire deputy president Thokozani Khupe of plotting to unseat party leader Morgan Tsvangirai after she claimed that he will only serve two terms.

In a recent interview Khupe told an online publication that she was likely to take over from Tsvangirai when he finishes his two terms in office.

"If Tsvangirai steps down, yes I become president. If the president finishes his term of office, I will vie for that position. But for now, there's no vacancy. President Tsvangirai is still there, he's the president. He will serve his two terms and once he finishes his two terms, there would be a vacancy and when there's a vacancy, I'll vie for that vacancy," Khupe said.

VAA Bulawayo provincial chairperson Isaac Mpofu yesterday said Khupe was divisive and should be condemned for her utterances.
He added that there were no term limits in the opposition party's constitution.

"Let it be known that there is no such article or provision in the MDC-T constitution, which refers to term limits. Accordingly, VP Khupe must abide by the MDC-T constitution and other party related collective decision making," said Mpofu.

"VP Khupe must desist from importing into the party strange laws which are a figment of her imagination. The statement by VP Khupe is divisive and should be condemned in the strongest terms."

Khupe could not be reached immediately for comment.

MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora said there are no term limits in the party and said the two terms apply only in Zimbabwe's Constitution for the person elected to the post of state president.

He said even though he had not raised the matter with Khupe, he was sure that she was referring to two term limits in the national constitution that would apply if Tsvangirai is "voted into power."

"There are no term limits in the MDC. Term limits apply only after he becomes State President. It's only common sense that she was referring to that. We can't have term limits in the party, not when you're in a struggle," said Mwonzora.

On the VAA relationship with the opposition party, Mwonzora said the organisation had applied for associate membership and he was confident that it would be granted.

The MDC-T secretary general could not be drawn to comment on the VAA stance on Khupe.

However, Mpofu accused Khupe of imposing strangers onto the party and parachuting them into influential positions, without regard to the stipulations of the party's constitution.

Mpofu cited Gorden Moyo as one of the people who were allegedly imposed by Khupe.

"This behaviour and practice deserves condemnation in the light of imposition of people without a history in the struggle and who have proven to be disloyal to the party to lofty positions. Gorden Moyo is a case in point," added Mpofu.

Recently, Khupe broke down during the party's national council meeting held in Harare after receiving a barrage of insults from party supporters who were not happy with her push for the party to contest in the June 10 parliamentary by-elections.

In an indication of frosty relations between Khupe and Tsvangirai, the MDC-T leader left his deputy at the mercy of ordinary party members who heckled her.

On Saturday, some party members had planned to demonstrate against Khupe at a rally held at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo that was addressed by Tsvangirai, but she did not turn up ostensibly because she was attending a funeral.