News / National
Fresh turmoil looms in MDC-T
22 Jun 2016 at 07:04hrs | Views
Fresh turmoil is looming in MDC-T with its secretary general Mr Douglas Mwonzora allegedly targeting loyalists to party leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai in a purge to replace them with those aligned to his deputy, Ms Thokozani Khupe.
According to allegations contained in a WhatsApp chat group of MDC-T members, Mr Mwonzora, allegedly working with a faction led by Ms Khupe are targeting employees and party officials deemed to be loyal to Mr Tsvangirai.
This, according to the chat group going by the name The Zimbabwean Igwee, is to pave way for Ms Khupe to ascend to the helm of the party in a "post-Tsvangirai" era.
Mr Tsvangirai was last month flown to South Africa for treatment for a yet to be disclosed ailment.
As a result of his illness, Mr Tsvangirai missed the party's Bulawayo demonstrations that were led by Ms Khupe.
Mr Mwonzora is alleged to be targeting senior party officials including Mr Sesel Zvidzai whom he wants to replace with Mr Khaliphani Phugeni, Mr Dennis Murira and Mr Kudakwashe Matibiri.
The Khupe faction is also said to be targeting Tsvangirai's spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, Mr Sydney Chisi, Mr Ghandi Mudzingwa and Bulawayo Central legislator Ms Dorcas Sibanda.
"They started suspending district members as we watched and then they moved to (Mr Matson) Hlalo and we argued that he's not going anywhere now the target are the likes of Dorcas and we wonder who is next," wrote a member within the group.
Another alleged that the Khupe-led faction has held a number of meetings to discuss the purge of Mr Tsvangirai loyalists as the faction is said to have lost patience with the embattled party leader.
Mr Mwonzora was not reachable for comment last night but the party's spokesperson, Mr Obert Gutu dismissed the allegations as "a pack of lies and unadulterated hogwash."
He said the party was united under Tsvangirai's leadership and was not bothered by the "fabrications."
"Morgan Tsvangirai is an indefatigable politician and leader who commands millions of supporters across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe and even beyond the country's borders. Tsvangirai is the real deal. He is our best foot forward," said Mr Gutu.
According to allegations contained in a WhatsApp chat group of MDC-T members, Mr Mwonzora, allegedly working with a faction led by Ms Khupe are targeting employees and party officials deemed to be loyal to Mr Tsvangirai.
This, according to the chat group going by the name The Zimbabwean Igwee, is to pave way for Ms Khupe to ascend to the helm of the party in a "post-Tsvangirai" era.
Mr Tsvangirai was last month flown to South Africa for treatment for a yet to be disclosed ailment.
As a result of his illness, Mr Tsvangirai missed the party's Bulawayo demonstrations that were led by Ms Khupe.
Mr Mwonzora is alleged to be targeting senior party officials including Mr Sesel Zvidzai whom he wants to replace with Mr Khaliphani Phugeni, Mr Dennis Murira and Mr Kudakwashe Matibiri.
The Khupe faction is also said to be targeting Tsvangirai's spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, Mr Sydney Chisi, Mr Ghandi Mudzingwa and Bulawayo Central legislator Ms Dorcas Sibanda.
"They started suspending district members as we watched and then they moved to (Mr Matson) Hlalo and we argued that he's not going anywhere now the target are the likes of Dorcas and we wonder who is next," wrote a member within the group.
Another alleged that the Khupe-led faction has held a number of meetings to discuss the purge of Mr Tsvangirai loyalists as the faction is said to have lost patience with the embattled party leader.
Mr Mwonzora was not reachable for comment last night but the party's spokesperson, Mr Obert Gutu dismissed the allegations as "a pack of lies and unadulterated hogwash."
He said the party was united under Tsvangirai's leadership and was not bothered by the "fabrications."
"Morgan Tsvangirai is an indefatigable politician and leader who commands millions of supporters across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe and even beyond the country's borders. Tsvangirai is the real deal. He is our best foot forward," said Mr Gutu.
Source - chronicle
