Tsvangirai orders seizure of property held by Biti faction

MDC-T president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has ordered the seizure of property and assets held by the rival Renewal Team led by secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti, a court heard yesterday.

A lawyer representing Witness Dube, driver of MDC-T vice president Thokozani Khupe, made the sensational claims before magistrate Ms Sibongile Msipa in Bulawayo.

Dube (37) and six other MDC-T members aligned to Mr Tsvangirai, who were still on the run, face robbery and theft charges for allegedly hijacking a car belonging to the party's Matabeleland North provincial chair Mr Sengezo Tshabangu, who is said to be aligned to Mr Biti.

Dube and his accomplices allegedly took cash and cellphones from Mr Tshabangu's driver, Mr Zaccaria Nkomo, and two others. The seized car is valued at $30 350, while two Blackberry and Nokia phones were valued at $300.

The court was packed with members of the rival factions, and Ms Msipa is expected to make her bail ruling today.

Dube's lawyer Tanaka Muganyi told the court that Ms Khupe's driver was acting on Mr Tsvangirai's instructions, and that the courts were being used to settle MDC-T's internal squabbles.

"My client had authority from Tsvangirai to possess the party property, including the vehicle in question," said Mr Muganyi.

"The authority shows there are misunderstandings in the party and the court should not be used as a vehicle in perpetuating these internal disputes."

The court broke into laughter when investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Patrice Nyamanhete, said MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora - a lawyer - produced an expired practising certificate when claiming to represent Dube.

Sgt Nyamanhete opposed granting of bail, saying Dube only came to the police station when Mr Mwonzora was told he was not facing a serious charge.

Prosecutor Mr Danmore Kasenza said Dube and six other party members pounced on Nkomo along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street in Bulawayo and assaulted him before making off with the vehicle.