News / Local
Khupe backs independent candidates
26 May 2015 at 07:16hrs | Views
OPPOSITION MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe is reportedly backing a host of independent candidates in Bulawayo and parts of Matabeleland as the fight over participation in by-elections continues to rock the party.
A group of former parliamentarians who did not make it into the Eighth Parliament met MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai a few weeks ago said Khupe was clandestinely supporting independents, much against the party the policy to boycott the by-elections set for next month.
The convener of the said meeting, former Chikomba Central legislator Moses Jiri, confirmed the indaba did take place, but refused to divulge details of the discussions.
Khupe denied the allegations in a telephone interview yesterday.
Tsvangirai's spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka was not picking up his mobile phone while party spokesperson Obert Gutu could neither deny nor confirm the developments.
The former parliamentarians told Tsvangirai in no uncertain terms that the cancer of factionalism was still "alive and kicking".
"Tsvangirai was told that Khupe, after failing to get her way during a national council meeting that discussed whether to take part in the June by-elections or not, turned to funding independent candidates, arguing the move is meant to safeguard the MDC's gains in the region," said an insider.
"The president (Tsvangirai) was provided with names (withheld) of people who are taking part in the by-elections under instructions and funding from Khupe. He was shocked because he knows the connection between these people."
While the MDC-T's October 2014 congress resolved not to take part in any elections without reforms, the opposition party's national council had to meet to endorse the decision after it emerged a powerful clique headed by Khupe was agitating for participation.
A group of former parliamentarians who did not make it into the Eighth Parliament met MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai a few weeks ago said Khupe was clandestinely supporting independents, much against the party the policy to boycott the by-elections set for next month.
The convener of the said meeting, former Chikomba Central legislator Moses Jiri, confirmed the indaba did take place, but refused to divulge details of the discussions.
Khupe denied the allegations in a telephone interview yesterday.
Tsvangirai's spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka was not picking up his mobile phone while party spokesperson Obert Gutu could neither deny nor confirm the developments.
The former parliamentarians told Tsvangirai in no uncertain terms that the cancer of factionalism was still "alive and kicking".
"Tsvangirai was told that Khupe, after failing to get her way during a national council meeting that discussed whether to take part in the June by-elections or not, turned to funding independent candidates, arguing the move is meant to safeguard the MDC's gains in the region," said an insider.
"The president (Tsvangirai) was provided with names (withheld) of people who are taking part in the by-elections under instructions and funding from Khupe. He was shocked because he knows the connection between these people."
While the MDC-T's October 2014 congress resolved not to take part in any elections without reforms, the opposition party's national council had to meet to endorse the decision after it emerged a powerful clique headed by Khupe was agitating for participation.
Source - Southern Eye
