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Thokozani Khupe

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor
MDC-T deputy president Ms Thokozani Khupe has suspended the party’s Matabeleland South chairperson Mr Solani Moyo whom she accused of menacingly charging at her with intention of assaulting her at a recent voter registration outreach programme.

The suspension has raised the ire of some party members who argue that Ms Khupe’s “unilateral” decision to suspend Mr Moyo was in violation of the party’s constitution.

In a letter addressed to Mr Moyo and dated December 4, Ms Khupe accused the provincial chairperson of breaching the MDC-T constitution and regulations and refers to an incident on November 25 in Ndolwane, Bulilima District when he charged at her with the intention to assault her.

“You had to be restrained by other members of the party including the national organising secretary, the Honourable Abednicho Bhebhe from your intended assault in full view of the national chairperson, Honourable Lovemore Moyo,” said Ms Khupe.

She said Mr Moyo’s conduct was tantamount, “to gross disrespect and undermined myself as an elected deputy president of the party.”

Ms Khupe said Mr Moyo’s suspension was with immediate effect and as a result he is banned from taking part in party activities pending investigations and disciplinary action.

She said she would also communicate Mr Moyo’s suspension to the party’s national executive since he is also a member of the national council.

Mr Moyo yesterday confirmed receiving Ms Khupe’s letter which he dismissed as a joke arguing that that she has no powers to unilaterally suspend him.

He denied acting violent towards Ms Khupe but accused her of holding a meeting in his province without his knowledge.

Mr Moyo said he differed with Ms Khupe’s message against the formation of a coalition of opposition parties to challenge the ruling Zanu-PF in the 2018 elections.

“I received the letter but I dispute the allegations contained in that letter. I’m not a violent person and did not act in any violent way towards maKhupe. I will respond to the letter maybe tomorrow (today) because I have been busy with other things. To me the letter is a joke because she has no powers to suspend me,” he said.

“The party agreed on the need to form a coalition with other parties and that is the gospel we should be taking to the people and not opposing the coalition. She said they don’t want a coalition in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and North and when I raised issue, she said she knew better as she is the deputy president who was elected by the people.”

In August, youths reportedly linked to MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s office, allegedly assaulted Ms Khupe, Mr Lovemore Moyo and Mr Bhebhe for their stance against the formation of the so called grand coalition of political parties to challenge Zanu-PF in the 2018 polls.