MDC-T Bulawayo backs Khupe

MDC-T Bulawayo province has leapt to the party's vice-president Thokozani Khupe's defence following allegations that she is sponsoring independent candidates contesting in the June 10 parliamentary by-elections.

Khupe was accused of defying an MDC-T 2014 congress resolution to boycott elections until the government implements electoral reforms.

Khupe has reportedly been at loggerheads with MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai over the boycott.

According to the Southern Eye, the MDC-T Bulawayo deputy spokesperson Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda yesterday described the accusations levelled against Khupe as unfounded.

"Bulawayo provincial executive takes these unfounded allegations against VP Khupe with great exception to say the least," Sibanda said.

"In the first place, former legislators have no constitutional forum to formally meet with the president of the party.

"Hence whatever might have been discussed therein is a private matter and does not affect the party's operations.

"We hold the former Chikomba Central legislator Moses Jiri accountable for abusing the presidential office in attempting to blackmail the resolute VP Khupe," he added.

"Can Jiri be open and tell the country at large who represented former Bulawayo legislators?"

Khupe has previously warned her detractors to stay away from her, declaring "they will not do a Mujuru on me".