'Anti-Khupe demo on the cards'

KNIVES are out for MDC-T vice president Thokozani Khupe with some party youths reportedly planning to stage a demonstration against her when she reports to the party's Harvest House offices in Harare.

The youths are said to be also targeting the party's national organising secretary Mr Abednicho Bhebhe, secretary general Mr Douglas Mwonzora and spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu whom they accuse of opposing the appointment of two additional vice presidents.

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai two weeks ago appointed Mr Nelson Chamisa and Engineer Elias Mudzuri to join Ms Khupe as the three party's vice presidents in a development set to erode her powers and influence in the party.

Mr Tsvangirai said the appointments had been seconded by the party's national council. The four officials did not attend the meeting.

However, the plot against the four thickened after a lawsuit against Tsvangirai by some party members last week challenging the appointments.

Mr Gutu downplayed the issue yesterday saying, "The issue of the appointment of the two VPs is now water under the bridge."

He said the party was united under Mr Tsvangirai with a bigger picture of "dislodging" Zanu-PF.

"The MDC is a very disciplined and democratic political party. We abhor and condemn all forms of violence. The reports of planned demonstrations against some party leaders are a complete baseless fabrication" said Mr Gutu.

"These reports have to be dismissed with the contempt that they rightly deserve."

Mr Bhebhe on the other hand said of the planned demo against them, "I'm not aware. If ever there is such, then that is madness. That's all I can say?

However, insiders said a clique within the party met in Harare last Friday where it was agreed that a demonstration be staged against the four.

"There is a belief in the party that the Khupe faction sponsored the lawsuit against the President challenging the appointment of Chamisa and Mudzuri hence the planned demonstrations.

"It was agreed that if the four are opposed to Tsvangirai then they are enemies of the party?" said the sources.

"Demonstrations will be held against Khupe and the three others when they come to Harvest House. Efforts will be made to block them from entering the party headquarters."