Eric Knight was not a member of MDC-T UK

MDC-T UK and Ireland has denied any links with Eric Knight, charging that the former ZBC radio and TV presenter was not involved with the Tsvangirai-led party in Britain.

Tonderai Samanyanga spoke in response to newspaper reports that Knight who contested elections in Mbare under the MDC-T has joined President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.

Samanyanga reiterated Knight that was not a member of the MDC-UK and Ireland, hence his participation as an aspiring MP under the MDC-T reflects some weaknesses in the political system which needed tightening.

"We don't know Eric Knight here. He was never part of us. I wonder why he was allowed to represent MDC-T at that level," said Samanyanga, adding that the issue needed further investigations.

"Anyone who participated in national politics from the UK had a letter signed by me and the district chair where that individual came from. I am sure Eric did not have that letter, and the question is how he was allowed to represent the party at that level," he said.

 However, the MDC Harare Province spokesperson, Obert Gutu said the province was told that Knight was an active MDC-T activist in Britain.

"As MDC Harare province, we had no reason to believe that  Eric Knight was not a genuine and dedicated party cadre," Gutu.

He conceded that there were some in the province who doubted if he was indeed a bona fide member.

He said the party had learnt a lesson to value tried and tested cadres to avoid accommodating chancers.

We are advised that he was an active MDC member in the UK where he is ordinarily based.

"The truth is some party cadres in Harare province were not entirely convinced about Eric Knight's qualification to contest the Mbare constituency primary elections.

"Going forward as Harare Province, we have learnt a hard lesson, that is, it is better for the party to stick to genuine, long-standing cadres instead of accommodating chancers and opportunists."

Knight lost the Mbare poll to Zanu-PF's Tendai Savanhu.

Rugare Gumbo, the Zanu-PF spokesperson, confirmed that

Knight was joining the former liberation movement.

"We have always wanted people like Eric, people with experience in broadcasting and the media so we are naturally excited at having him back home if indeed he has eventually made the decision to join us," Gumbo said.

"Young people like him are valuable to the party and as such we openly welcome him. We hope he will be an asset