Mugabe must step down: Khupe

MDC-T vice president Thokozani Khupe says President Robert Mugabe must step down from power because he has failed the country. Khupe was addressing about 4 000 MDC-T party supporters, who yesterday brought business in Mutare to a standstill as the opposition party's demonstrations against alleged misrule by Mugabe's government.

She read the speech on behalf of MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who failed to attend yesterday's event reportedly because he was scheduled to undergo "a routine medical review". Khupe added Mugabe should hand over power because "he is leading an illegitimate government".

Other top party leaders who took part in the demonstration included secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, national spokesperson Obert Gutu and shadow home affairs minister Giles Mutsekwa. The party said it would continue demonstrating against the failures by Government.

4 000 supporters participated.