(HERALD) Khupe sucked in Bulawayo violence

Khupe sucked in Bulawayo violence
Thursday, 07 April 2011 22:14
Bulawayo Bureau

SCORES of MDC-T supporters in some Bulawayo suburbs are reportedly living in fear following an escalation of intra-party violence that has reportedly sucked in Deputy Prime Minister and Makokoba legislator, Ms Thokozani Khupe.

The DPM's bodyguards allegedly assaulted a party supporter at Macdonald Hall in Makokoba on Sunday and left him for dead. DPM Khupe has dismissed the allegations.

Since the infighting that erupted at a party restructuring meeting at Macdonald Hall, factions vying for the party's chairpersonship in the province have allegedly hired gangsters to beat up rivals.

MDC-T will hold its congress at Babourfields Stadium in May and supporters fear violence will erupt.

The battle between Senator Matson Hlalo of Mzilikazi and Mr Gorden Moyo, a junior party member who Mr Morgan Tsvangirai plucked from obscurity and seconded to Cabinet in the inclusive Government, for the provincial chairmanship has reportedly resulted in violent campaigns.

Sen Hlalo is the provincial vice-chair.

On Sunday night, at least three MDC-T members were reportedly attacked by unknown assailants.

When our Bulawayo Bureau went to interview victims of the violence, most of them had locked their doors and refused to speak before seeing identification.

"We do not know who you are. The party might have sent you to beat us up. Bhara (a party youth) was stabbed on Sunday night by thugs that I think were hired by Ms Khupe.

"We are all now living in fear," said a woman from Mzilikazi who begged not to be identified.

She said DPM Khupe's bodyguards allegedly kicked Mr Raymond Nyamafene down the steps at the entrance to Macdonald Hall, resulting in him sustaining serious injuries.

He was not treated at the United Bulawayo Hospitals because he had no money.

Another party member, who spoke without opening the screen door to her house, said she no longer knew who to trust after her friend was attacked.

"My Friend, Ruth Mbedzi, was hit with an iron bar on Sunday night, at the gate to her home in Makokoba.

"Her neck is stiff and swollen. She failed to get medical attention because she had no money," said the youth.

"I think Sen Hlalo is responsible for the assault because his friend, (MDC-T councillor) James Sithole of Ward 7 promptly got her arrested when she came from hospital yesterday (Tuesday).

DPM Khupe said there was no substance to the allegations.

"Those are lies peddled by the party's political enemies. If my guys assaulted people, why were they not arrested?

"There are no divisions within the party as you people like to imply," she said.
DPM Khupe had a brush with the law last year after she allegedly assaulted a policeman at a roadblock.

Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri this year told Parliamentarians that the force had essentially let DPM Khupe off the hook though it was clear she had committed a crime.

Sen Hlalo said people intent on tarnishing the party's image were making up the stories.

"We are a democratic party and there are no divisions in our structures. There is no reason for us to fight and I will never sponsor violence.

"On Sunday, both Gorden (Moyo) and myself were barred by the party leadership from being anywhere near the meeting.

"Whoever spoke to you was making up a story to make the party look bad."

On Sunday, a brawl broke out at Macdonald Hall in Mzilikazi and another later on at Stanley Hall, where the party was having provincial restructuring exercises for Makokoba district in preparation for the congress.

There are also reports of violence in MDC-T in some parts of the country including Masvingo and Mashonaland West.