Chamisa blasts 'wayward' Khupe

OPPOSITION MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa has hit out at former deputy prime minister Thokozani Khupe, describing her as a wayward politician who was trying to appoint herself party leader.

Addressing thousands of supporters Murehwa Town Centre in Mashonaland East on Saturday, Chamisa said Khupe does not understand that the "party should not be a one generational movement hence, her rebellious conduct."

Chamisa is presidential candidate for the MDC Alliance coalition formed by the MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai before he succumbed to colon cancer in February.

Khupe has differed bitterly with Tsvangirai over the Alliance which saw the former premier re-united with former allies, Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti, who had quit the MDC-T over the years to form their own parties.

And following the death of Tsvangirai, Khupe has refused to accept Chamisa's takeover and insists that she is the legitimate acting president of the party.

She was expelled from the party on Friday along with allies Obert Gutu, who was national spokesman, and Abednico Bhebhe, who was national organising secretary.

"He (Tsvangirai) was one man who knew that leadership is generational, a visionary who knew that in as much as he is leading, he needs to the old and the young besides him," said Chamisa, to applause from his supporters.

"I have seen this in my sister Khupe, her wayward behaviour; when he (Tsvangirai) appointed me as vice president, some people within the party did not understand or foresee his vision.

"Tsvangirai left a united alliance, but she (Khupe) became errant; you can't appoint yourself as the leader of the party."

He added; "You are not a spirit medium that just possess anyone, you are selected.

"A person is given the obligation and the responsibility by the organs of the party. This was Tsvangirai's vision and how he planned his succession which Zanu PF of failed to do.

"Look at what is happening in that (ruling) party. They chased away G40 members; all young members we expelled. The party is now like an old people's home; that's not progressive."        

Khupe was expelled from the party after it emerged that she had officially notified the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that she will represent the MDC in the 2018 Presidential election.

Gutu scorned at the decision saying; "What happened on Friday (the alleged expulsion) is a joke that is not even funny.

"If we want to be entertained, we would rather go to a proper circus. Theirs is a circus that does not provide entertainment; that is how cheap it is.

"How are we fired from an organisation which we are not part of? As you all know, we were in Bulawayo last Sunday.

"We had a very successful rally where we made it very clear and unambiguous that we are dissociating ourselves from an organisation that does not respect the constitution and is driven by violence, intolerance and thuggery.

"We are the real, rightful and legitimate MDC that believes in constitutionalism. This is why we are working with our structures to arrange an extraordinary congress in April where we will be electing a legitimate president."