Tsvangirai visits Bulawayo today with fears of violent clashed between MDC-T camps

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai visits Bulawayo today with fears of violent clashes between rival factions in the province as the fall out between the former Prime Minister and his deputy Thokozani Khupe deepens.

Tsvangirai and Khupe, party insiders have said, have fallen out over the decision by the party not to take part in by-elections with his deputy allegedly advocating for taking part in the polls.

Tsvangirai is expected to hold meetings in Pumula, Luveve and Mpopoma in his "no reforms, no elections" campaign but party sources say a group aligned to Khupe was mobilising to stage a demonstration against the MDC-T leader.

Tomorrow, Tsvangirai will take his campaign to Tsholotsho despite the fact that a member of his party Busani Ncube is contesting the Tsholotsho North seat under the guise of an independent candidate.

Party national spokesperson Obert Gutu yesterday confirmed Tsvangirai's visit saying, "he's going to hold three meetings in Bulawayo as part of the party's no reform, no elections campaign.

"On Sunday he'll hold another meeting in Jimila Business Centre. In the meetings, he'll be explaining to party members the reasons behind the decision not to take part in the by elections."

However, party insiders said there was a likelihood of violent scenes reminiscent to running battles witnessed last month when Tsvangirai was set to visit Bulawayo to address party members at Stanley Square but eventually sent secretary general Douglas Mwonzora.

"Khupe aligned members have this week been mobilising members to stage a demonstration against Tsvangirai over the party's stance not to take part in the elections," said an insider.

Another source said the demonstration was a "revenge action" after Khupe was humiliated at a meeting of the national executive in Harare where a group of demonstrators from the women's wing hurled insults at her for her pro-elections stance.

MDC-T Bulawayo acting provincial chairperson Dorcas Sibanda said it was a democratic right for any member to demonstrate but the action would not change the party's position not to participate in the polls.

"We agreed in congress that we wouldn't take part in any election as long as there was no reform. Tsvangirai as president of the party is bound by that resolution. In as much as it's their democratic right to demonstrate, I think it's mischievous for one to try and subvert the will of the party for personal gain," she said.

It remains to be seen if Khupe will attend today's and tomorrow's meetings after she snubbed the last three similar meetings in Harare and Masvingo after attacks on her by party demonstrators in Harare.

In Tsholotsho North, Zanu-PF candidate for the June 10 by-elections Professor Jonathan Moyo is the only one conducting campaigns in the area with Ncube and fellow contender Gertrude Sibanda having disappeared after filing their papers at the nomination court last month.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North chairperson Richard Moyo is on record saying the party was going to win back the constituency with or without the MDC-T's participation.