• as MDC goes through its regular split cycle
Brian Rungano Temba
The Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T has suspended its Vice President Dr Thokozani Khupe from the party.
A statement released by Khupe`s former driver and incumbent MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube communicated the latest development.
According to the statement, Dr Khupe was served the suspension letters last week.
MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the suspension to Tateguru TV, referring more questions to Dube.
Dube said he is not at liberty to share the nature of allegations levelled against Dr Khupe.
“The suspensions were actually served to both Dr Khupe and her spokesperson Khalipeni Pungeni. Both Dr Khupe and Mr Phungeni, and their lawyers were handed in person and emailed copies of the suspension letters detailed with all the allegations leveled against them.
We intended this to be resolved internally as a party. However they went public with news about the suspension and we as the party had to make an official statement to that effect,” said Dube.
Dube said Mwonzora communicated the allegations to Dr Khupe and Pugeni.
He said they will be given a chance to defend themselves before an Arbiter General.
“If their explanation satisfies Arbiter General then the suspension will be lifted.
Until then the suspension is temporary and serves strictly as suspension from party activities. Dr. Khupe and Mr Phugeni are free to carry out Parliament business,” added Dube.
Dube said the duo might be in violation of their suspension, if they continue with their plans to hold a presser tomorrow in Bulawayo under party banner.
“We are aware of the presser that was announced for tomorrow in Bulawayo. I tried to contact one Thando Ndlovu who is coordinating the presser. Our enquiries into who was holding the presser and what the agenda was were to no avail.
As for now we wait and see,” said Dube.
In the true culmination of the phase, there are no permanent friends in politics, Dube was at one time personal assistant and driver to Dr Khupe.
Now they are fighting on opposite ends in the struggle for the soul of the MDC-T.
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