Tsvangirai blames Zanu-PF on violence against Khupe

MOVEMENT for Democratic Change leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, who has been accused of unleashing his Shona speaking youth on his Deputy Thokozani Khupe, MDC-T national chairman Lovemore Moyo and organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe has fingered Zanu-PF in the violence that rocked MDC-T Bulawayo offices.

Addressing journalists, Tsvangirai who was accompanied by his other two Shona speaking Vice President Nelson Chamisa and Engineer Mudzuri said his party is investigating the violence, but cannot rule out "the invisible hand of the state"

"Our party has been a victim of state sponsored violence... We've never been perpetrators of violence," said Tsvangirai.

Journalists named MDC-T youths previously accused of violence but brought back to MDC-T, however, Tsvangirai defended the move saying, "They were punished and rehabilitated."

Tsvangirai says he has spoken to Khupe and party Chairman Moyo and "there's an understanding of how we will proceed".

Tsvangirai said Khupe's position as VP, her dignity as a woman, a mother and a role model to many young women, was immensely undermined.

Tsvangirai says he spoke to Moyo before the alliance rally but he said he wasn't attending "Who am I to force people to attend an event," asked Tsvangirai.

Journalist asked Tsvangirai if any arrests of MDC-T members has been made. He was also asked about Hwende's comments.

The Alliance imposed leader said Chalton Hwende, who celebrated the attack, will face same censure as everyone else. He also said he has no details on who has been arrested.

A few minutes before Tsvangirai's press conference, his former advisor Alex T Magaisa‏ had said, "Whatever statement is made today, please avoid the "it's ZANU PF/CIO line". People know it's cheap & expected. Surprise your critics."

More to follow...