MDC-T blames Khupe for Byo chaos

via MDC-T blames Khupe for Byo chaos – New Zimbabwe 28/10/2015

MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe is reportedly at the centre of the party’s deepening problems mainly in Bulawayo as the opposition party’s internal troubles continue to mount.

The gravity of the divisions was recently exposed as party leader Morgan Tsvangirai failed to attend to burial of the late former deputy minister and MDC-T MP for Nkulumane, Thamsanqa Mahlangu.

Tsvangirai travelled to Bulawayo for the funeral but returned to his Harare base without visiting to rival wakes for Mahlangu or his burial.

According to a report compiled by the party’s Arbiter General identified as Wilbert Masarirapamwe, Khupe and party organising secretary Abednigo Bhebhe have been imposing candidates and disqualifying their perceived enemies even before last year’s second split of the party.

“The office gathered that a tiny cabal of national leaders have fallen into the bad habit of interfering in the affairs of the province, the districts and other lower structures,” Masarirapamwe’s report said.

“It was made clear to us that these national players interfere with improper motives, disqualifying some candidates or imposing candidates of their own choice.

“A number of examples were given.

“It was alleged in interviews that some members of the current provincial executive namely Nomvula Mguni, James Sithole, Gift Banda were catapulted into office by Hon Khupe and Hon Abednigo Bhebhe.

“In the execution of their duties these office bearers now use the names of those national leaders when announcing changes.”

Khupe is also accused of having imposed former MDC-T provincial chairperson Gorden Moyo who, along with Banda, had their party history questioned in the report.

Moyo is now secretary general of the Tendai Biti lead People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The report said Khupe and her cronies have consistently flouted party regulations during the selection of candidates for election purposes. She also stands accused of tribal bias in her shenanigans, the report alleges.

Marirapamwe, in his report, contends that his is not an investigation but an internal dispute resolution. He then goes on to make recommendations including dissolution of all structures in Bulawayo.

“Only a handful of national leaders domiciled in Bulawayo province has been alleged to have interfered overtly or covertly in the affairs of the province and other lower structures.

“The names of the vice president and national organising secretary have been mentioned but they have strenuously denied the allegations,” the report said.

It added that the interference might have been done with “good intentions” but has caused resentment and anger.

“That an interim provincial executive be established to oversee the restructuring thus effectively removing real or perceived bias from the system and it should include national leaders from outside the Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and North provinces.

“That with a view to destroying once and for all existing parallel structures all structures from branch through ward, district to province be re-established and this should include Women and Youth assembly,” the report reads in part.

The report however, indicated that its implementation and the dissolution of the structures do not in any way curtail the functions of the Arbiter General to investigate and prosecute cases of indiscipline before the national disciplinary committee for any past indiscipline”.

Lawmakers Dorcas Sibanda, Anele Ndebele, Witness Dube, Nick Brown, Matson Hlalo among others are fingered in varying disciplinary transgressions.