9 MDC-T top brass face expulsion
Sunday, 25 November 2012 00:00
Itai Mazire
Nine senior MDC-T officials, including party vice-president Ms Thokozani Khupe as well as Parastatals and State Enterprises Minister Mr Gorden Moyo, are facing expulsion from the political outfit for allegedly fanning intra-party violence and bringing the party into disrepute.
It is understood a disciplinary committee — headed by national chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo — has already been set up to deal with the matter. MDC-T national spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora last week confirmed that several high-ranking officials were expected to face the committee soon.
He said those found guilty would be penalised in line with the gravity of their offences.
Although he refused to disclose the names of those lined up for prosecution, party insiders said Ms Khupe and Mr Moyo were among the accused.
The insiders said they could be expelled or suspended as MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai seeks to score political points ahead of the 2013 harmonised elections.
Mr Mwonzora confirmed, though, that the said culprits will be suspended or expelled. Ms Khupe, Mr Gorden Moyo and the disciplinary committee chair could not be reached for comment yesterday.
“MDC-T is a party that does not condone violence. As we speak, there are about nine people from the party’s top leadership who will be brought before the disciplinary committee,” said Mr Mwonzora.
“In short, the disciplinary hearings have commenced and the party national chairman, Mr Lovemore Moyo, will head all the hearings. Investigations have been on-going. One should note that we recently set up the Mahanda commission that focused on rooting out rogue elements within the party ranks.”
He said it was premature for him to disclose the names of the concerned officials.
“As I said earlier, the party will publish the names of the members appearing before the hearings when the hearings have been completed.
“These people are facing charges ranging from inciting violence and showing behaviour that soils the flagship of the party as a whole. In the event that one is found guilty, the party will charge them accordingly and, as a party that has a well-defined constitution, the guilty will either be suspended or expelled from the party.”
Last year, violence erupted at the MDC-T national congress in Bulawayo after rival factions clashed.
Ms Khupe and Mr Moyo were among the leaders fingered in the internal fighting. Mr Moyo was elected chair of the MDC-T Bulawayo provincial executive. However, violence erupted after supporters of his rival, Mzilikazi Senator Matson Hlalo, complained that some of them were barred from voting.
Last month, the MDC-T dispatched a team from its Harvest House headquarters to Matabeleland North after factionalism again reared its ugly head in that province. Provincial organising secretary Mr Thembinkosi Sibindi and deputy provincial secretary Ms Angeline Kheswa were suspended amid reports that they were against Ms Khupe’s alleged moves to contest for Bubi constituency.
Labels: DOUGLAS MWONZORA, MDC, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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COMMENT - I guess getting the blessing from the US and UK makes the MDC believe they can start dictating to neighboring countries how to act.
MDC Minister Khupe was central to the circumcision fraud in Zimbabwe, for which she has of course not apologized.
MDC-T appeals for Zambia support
12/08/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
MDC-T deputy leader Thokozani Khupe has urged Zambia,
whose leader routinely incenses her party by publicly backing President Robert Mugabe, to help ensure that Zimbabwe organises “free and fair” elections next year.
Khupe, a deputy prime minister in the coalition government,
met Zambia’s Vice President Guy Scott Friday as part of
regional charm offensive by her MDC-T party ahead of this week’s SADC meeting in Mozambique.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting Khupe said: “Our plea to the Zambian government is that we want them to assist us by speaking…so that the people of Zimbabwe have got a free and fair election because we don’t want an election for the sake of it.
“We want an election which is going to be credible and election which is going to be legitimate; an election which is going to be free and fair and more importantly an election which is going to respect the will of the people.”
The MDC-T joined the coalition government violent elections in 2008. Party leader Morgan Tsvangirai believes he won the elections but was prevented from taking over power by security services chiefs seen as fiercely loyal to Mugabe.
Khupe said her party did not want a repeat of the violence which was experienced during the 2008 election as well as its chaotic aftermath when the announcement of results was delayed for several weeks.
“We don’t want a repeat of 2008 as you know that we are in this inclusive government to make sure that we level the playing field. We are working very hard to make sure that we level the playing field.
“Whoever wins the next elections is allowed to run the country so that we have got smooth transition of power like what happened here in Zambia,” the visiting official said.
Zambian President Michael Sata has caused unease within the MDC-T ranks over his support for President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party at meetings of the regional SADC grouping.
In January Sata dismissed MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai as a “western stooge” telling a British newspaper: "We don't know the policies of Morgan – he has other people speaking for him rather than speaking for himself.
"There will be elections (in Zimbabwe) and Mugabe will go and someone else will take over, but not someone imposed by the Western countries."
The regional SADC grouping, led by South African leader, Jacob Zuma is helping parties to the coalition government implement political reforms as well as draw-up a so-called roadmap to new elections.
The reforms include the recently completed new constitution which the MDC parties have since endorsed while Zanu PF is pushing for several amendments to the document.
The constitution will be put to a referendum leading to new elections now widely expected next year.
Labels: GUY SCOTT, MDC, MICHAEL SATA, SADC, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Tsvangirai ambushes Zanu-PF
Saturday, 11 August 2012 00:00
Herald Reporter
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly ambushed Zanu-PF by taking a copy of the draft Constitution to regional leaders and presented it as the agreed document by all parties in the inclusive Government.
Sources close to the matter said the MDC-T leader presented the document to incoming Sadc chairman and Mozambique leader, president Armando Guebuza during his recent visit to that country this week.
He also took the document to Tanzania, where he advised the incoming Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation chairperson president Jakaya Kikwete on the so-called final position.
Mr Tsvangirai’s deputy, Ms Tokhozani Kuphe, also reportedly presented the draft constitution to Zambian officials.
Said the source: “Before even Zanu-PF finished auditing the draft Constitution, Mr Tsvangirai was already telling regional leaders that all the parties are agreed on the matter. He wants to manipulate Sadc leaders ahead of the Sadc Summit in Mozambique. He is ambushing Zanu-PF ahead of the summit.”
Recently the MDC-T leader embarked on what his party called a diplomatic offensive where he met Sadc leaders ahead of the summit.
Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Rugare Gumbo, yesterday said the MDC-T was displaying the highest levels of political immaturity. He said Mr Tsvangirai’s actions showed that he does not take national politics seriously.
“His actions show political immaturity that we have always been talking about . . . he over simplifies issues . . . this is unbelievable. They do not understand the dynamics of politics. They think Sadc is just going to accept their position. They think Sadc leaders are gullible,” he said.
Also see
* MDC: Futility of reinventing heroism
* Analysts scoff at PM’s ‘diplomatic offensive’
* Zanu Ndonga blasts Tsvangirai
* Sithole’s son attacks MDC-T over memorial service
* Morgan a master of reverse politics
Cde Gumbo said there was no need for the MDC-T to take the document to Sadc leaders because Zanu-PF did not agree with so many issues contained in the draft.
“Its premature to take the document to Sadc because there are so many defective issues in that document that Zanu-PF does not agree with. The principles have to agree . . . the problem is the MDC-T wants things to be done its way,” he said.
MDC deputy spokesperson, Mr Kurauone Chihwayi, said it was wrong for the MDC-T leader to take the draft constitution to Sadc leaders before it was taken to the people.
“We believe Sadc has to be brought in when there is a deadlock . . . no deadlock has been declared and we do not understand why the MDC-T has decided to do that.
“The document has to be taken to the people first — the All Stakeholders Conference, not Sadc. It’s the people here who are going to say YES or NO,” he said.
However, Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, dismissed reports that his party took the draft constitution to Sadc leaders.
“Why would we take the document to Sadc leaders when we are fully aware that it is still under discussion. It is Zanu-PF that does not have a position. This constitution is for Zimbabweans not for foreigners,” he said.
Asked what was the agenda of his leader’s visit to Sadc countries, Mr Tamborinyoka said: “We went to speak about our position to Sadc leaders. It was a private visit and we cannot tell you.”
Labels: CONSTITUTION, COPAC, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, RUGARE GUMBO, SADC, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Tsvangirai ambushes Zanu-PF
Saturday, 11 August 2012 00:00
Herald Reporter
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly ambushed Zanu-PF by taking a copy of the draft Constitution to regional leaders and presented it as the agreed document by all parties in the inclusive Government.
Sources close to the matter said the MDC-T leader presented the document to incoming Sadc chairman and Mozambique leader, president Armando Guebuza during his recent visit to that country this week.
He also took the document to Tanzania, where he advised the incoming Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation chairperson president Jakaya Kikwete on the so-called final position.
Mr Tsvangirai’s deputy, Ms Tokhozani Kuphe, also reportedly presented the draft constitution to Zambian officials.
Said the source: “Before even Zanu-PF finished auditing the draft Constitution, Mr Tsvangirai was already telling regional leaders that all the parties are agreed on the matter. He wants to manipulate Sadc leaders ahead of the Sadc Summit in Mozambique. He is ambushing Zanu-PF ahead of the summit.”
Recently the MDC-T leader embarked on what his party called a diplomatic offensive where he met Sadc leaders ahead of the summit.
Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Rugare Gumbo, yesterday said the MDC-T was displaying the highest levels of political immaturity. He said Mr Tsvangirai’s actions showed that he does not take national politics seriously.
“His actions show political immaturity that we have always been talking about . . . he over simplifies issues . . . this is unbelievable. They do not understand the dynamics of politics. They think Sadc is just going to accept their position. They think Sadc leaders are gullible,” he said.
Also see
* MDC: Futility of reinventing heroism
* Analysts scoff at PM’s ‘diplomatic offensive’
* Zanu Ndonga blasts Tsvangirai
* Sithole’s son attacks MDC-T over memorial service
* Morgan a master of reverse politics
Cde Gumbo said there was no need for the MDC-T to take the document to Sadc leaders because Zanu-PF did not agree with so many issues contained in the draft.
“Its premature to take the document to Sadc because there are so many defective issues in that document that Zanu-PF does not agree with. The principles have to agree . . . the problem is the MDC-T wants things to be done its way,” he said.
MDC deputy spokesperson, Mr Kurauone Chihwayi, said it was wrong for the MDC-T leader to take the draft constitution to Sadc leaders before it was taken to the people.
“We believe Sadc has to be brought in when there is a deadlock . . . no deadlock has been declared and we do not understand why the MDC-T has decided to do that.
“The document has to be taken to the people first — the All Stakeholders Conference, not Sadc. It’s the people here who are going to say YES or NO,” he said.
However, Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, dismissed reports that his party took the draft constitution to Sadc leaders.
“Why would we take the document to Sadc leaders when we are fully aware that it is still under discussion. It is Zanu-PF that does not have a position. This constitution is for Zimbabweans not for foreigners,” he said.
Asked what was the agenda of his leader’s visit to Sadc countries, Mr Tamborinyoka said: “We went to speak about our position to Sadc leaders. It was a private visit and we cannot tell you.”
Labels: CONSTITUTION, COPAC, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, SADC, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Cracks emerge in MDC-T as succession politics rage on
Wednesday, 01 August 2012 00:00
Herald Reporter
SUCCESSION politics is threatening to tear the MDC-T apart as its leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, is reportedly planning to handpick Mr Ian Makone as his running mate in polls ahead of senior party officials preferred by a majority in the party.
Mr Makone is PM Tsvangirai’s confidante, financer and secretary in his office.
Sources in the MDC-T say the majority of the people in the party want party deputy president and Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe and secretary general and Finance Minister Tendai Biti to be Mr Tsvangirai’s running mates.
They said Mr Tsvangirai preferred Mr Makone because he is believed to be a member of Mr Tsvangirai’s “kitchen cabinet”.
Mr Tsvangirai’s “kitchen cabinet” was a source of the party’s split in 2005 as some party senior officials led by the then secretary-general, Professor Welshman Ncube, felt that it was influencing the MDC-T leader to overturn decisions that would have been agreed in formal party meetings.
The party’s national executive has since endorsed the draft constitution, which has a provision that a presidential candidate in future elections should select a running mate who would eventually become Vice President if the principal candidate wins the polls. Other senior party officials that have been touted ahead of Mr Makone are national chairperson Mr Lovemore Moyo and national executive member, Mr Elias Mudzuri.
Party spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, said it was up to the principal presidential candidate to select a running mate of his choice. He, however, said Mr Tsvangirai had not selected his running mate because the draft constitution had not yet been adopted as the country’s charter.
“The decision to choose a running mate lies with the presidential candidate and other internal processes of a political party. It is like the prerogative by a president to appoint a minister,” said Mr Mwonzora who is also Copac co-chairperson.
“It is up to (MDC-T) president Tsvangirai to choose a person he wants when the time comes.”
Asked if it was fair for a presidential candidate to appoint a person with no support in the party as his running mate, Mr Mwonzora said: “That is why the running mate is made known to the country so that the popularity or lack of it affects results. The choice of a running mate affects how the principal candidate will fare in the election.”
The choice of running mate is set to further plunge the already heavily divided party further as most party officials wanted Ms Khupe and Mr Biti.
Sources said Mr Tsvangirai’s choice of Mr Makone were an indictment of his preference on who should eventually take over leadership of the party when he leaves.
The subject of running mates was not openly discussed during last week’s meeting but murmurs could be heard on possible candidates, according to sources.
Some could be heard whispering that it should be brought to the fore for discussion.
Mr Makone, according to sources, has no roots in the party but enjoys close relations with Mr Tsvangirai.
“Makone is not even in the top hierarchy like the Standing Committee, the party’s highest decision making body,” said one senior party official.
Those who are fighting in Mr Makone’s corner argued that Ms Khupe is a discredited running mate candidate following reports that more than 200 party supporters in her Makokoba constituency in Bulawayo defected to the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube.
They have since been agitating for the investigation of Ms Khupe, who is accused of having fallen out of favour with some party officials in her constituency. Mr Tsvangirai has already showed his preference for the Makone family after nominating Mrs Theresa Makone for a Cabinet post at the inception of the inclusive Government.
Mrs Makone, wife to Mr Makone, was subsequently appointed Public Works Minister by President Mugabe, and later on re-assigned as Co-Minister of Home Affairs, taking over from Mr Giles Mutsekwa.
Labels: IAN MAKONE, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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NewsDay attack on Misihairabwi unjustified
04/11/2011 00:00:00
by Qhubani Moyo
THE attack on the Secretary General of the MDC Priscillar Misihairabwi-Mushonga by Conway Tutani, the NewsDay senior sub editor and columnist on November 4, 2011, is totally unacceptable and unjustified.
The attack arises from a newspaper article that falsely accuses Misihairabwi-Musonga of not being sensitive to the illness of Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe, yet it is a matter of the public record that she has been genuinely sympathetic to Khuphe, with whom she has been in the trenches together for a long time both as a personal friend and political comrade.
The story that came out of the Chronicle has been proven to be a total fabrication. In their own words, the Chronicle have made an apology for their lie. In page two of the Thursday, Novemeber 2, edition the Chronicle, the newspaper says:
“In a story entitled ‘MP calls for bedroom sanctions’ published in the Chronicle of Tuesday, November 2, 2011, we quoted the MDC secretary general as having blasted people of Matabeleland as lacking political ambition. We erroneously quoted her as having said ‘something is wrong with the people from this region. Why do you always fight to become deputies to Shonas? Look at Khuphe the MDC deputy president has lost all her hair fighting to be Tsvangirai’s deputy.’ These words were never said by Mrs Misihairabwi Mushonga and we unreservedly apologise for the anguish and anxiety that might be caused by her.”
So even after the Chronicle has made such a retraction, Tutani of the NewsDay still wants to make a big issue out of a lie and thus promote alarm and despondency. It is common cause that Tutani, whose articles are limited in substance, wants to behave like a guerrilla columnist attacking everyone left right and centre and denying them the right to a response. Such kind of abuse of media space by people like Tutani flies in the face of the very struggles that Zimbabweans went to trenches for to ensure that we enjoy media freedom and plurality.
If people like Tutani would pound on other Zimbabweans on his columns every Friday and fail to give them the space to respond, where then is professionalism in their publications? Tutani should give himself time to think before putting pen to paper otherwise he is a big disgrace to the NewsDay. I am surprised that Brian Mangwende, an experienced editor, would allow the newspaper to have a one way engagement . I think it’s time that he makes a self-introspection and realises that it does not help his paper to grow if he makes it a conveyor belt of one section of ideas and shuts out all other ideas.
I find it strange that Tutani has found it relevant to fuel a discussion over an issue that has been closed, which was proved a lie the moment the first offending Chronicle publication flew off the printing press.
Tutani wants to incite women’s groups to do something about nothing. If people have nothing to write, they should not just fulfil a fixture. The writings that come to the public space should clearly be of value and based on facts and not this ranting by Tutani. People like Tutani who hate Misihairabwi-Mushonga for being resolute in her pronouncements that all regions should get equal share from the national cake thought they had for the first time caught her offside and thus wanted to use the allegations to crucify her.
Three weeks ago, I challenged Tutani to publish an article that responded to issues he raised in his column on regionalism and up to now he has not. All he could do was to send me an email trying to patronise me and playing a tribal card by telling me that he is of Nguni origin. If he is Nguni, so what?
The Voluntary Media Council, JOMIC and the Zimbabwe Media Commission are definitely going to receive a complaint from us about Tutani and NewsDay’s irresponsible behaviour.
Qhubani Moyo is the National Organising Secretary of the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube
Labels: MEDIA, PRISCILLA MISIHAIRABWI, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Jealously guard your independence: Odinga
Posted by By Our reporter at 30 April, at 02 : 48 AM Print
Jealously guard your independence: Odinga
THE visiting Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga paid a courtesy call on President Robert Mugabe and said Zimbabwe is a sovereign state capable of running its internal affairs without outside interference. “Zimbabwe is quite capable of resolving own internal issues without external influence,” said Odinga.
“I am here to strengthen ties between our two countries who have enjoyed cordial relations since the time of the liberation struggle,” said Odinga, who has been a harsh critic of Zanu-PF. The two leaders shared tea at State House.
Odinga delivered a message from Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, and exchanged notes on political and economic developments in the two countries.
“We had a very good meeting with his Excellency (President Mugabe). We basically compared notes about developments in Zimbabwe and Kenya as you know that the two countries have a number of things in common,” said Odinga.
Speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting with President Mugabe, Odinga who was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, Thokozani Khupe told journalists that he had a “fruitful meeting” with the President as they discussed “the tough trajectories the two countries travelled to dislodge imperialists and how we can jealously guard our independence” as African countries.
He said Zimbabwe and Kenya share a common history adding that among issues discussed was how the two countries can assist each other in dealing with the current constitutional and other reforms.
Asked about his view on the inclusive Government in Zimbabwe, Odinga said: “Zimbabwe is a sovereign state which should make its own decisions not to be dictated to by foreigners.”
Labels: RAILA ODINGA, ROBERT MUGABE, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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COMMENT - With the 2011 elections coming up, the international media is going to make a lot of 'ZANU-PF violence' in order to delegitimize the elections in case President Mugabe wins. However, a lot if not most violence comes from the MDC. They have the most to gain by it, because their popularity is falling, and as neoliberals, they have no other ideology than greed. Also see:
Khupe sucked in Bulawayo violence Violence: MDC-T caught in act
Crime Reporter
Thursday, 07 April 2011 22:14
SOME rowdy MDC-T youths who were part of a group that was unveiling tombstones at Warren Hills Cemetery ran amok on Wednesday afternoon and attacked several mourners, including Zanu-PF supporters who wanted to bury a colleague.
According to a police report, four policemen were injured while four commuter omnibuses, a marked police vehicle and several other cars in the cemetery were damaged by the stone throwing youths.
According to a witness identified as Mr Madende, they had gone to the cemetery to bury one of his workers who died after being knocked down by a car along Simon Mazorodze Road when the MDC-T youths attacked them.
The late Farai alias Fatso was a conductor for one of the commuter omnibuses owned by Mr Madende.
"When we arrived at the cemetery, we were shocked to see over 300 MDC-T supporters and buses offloading several others," Mr Madende said.
He said a few minutes later, the MDC-T youths became rowdy and charged towards them while in the process of burying Farai.
Mr Madende said some of the mourners were attacked while others fled.
Two commuter omnibuses belonging to Mr Madende had their windows shattered while three other vehicles - a Volvo, Nissan Sunny and a Nissan Hardbody truck - were also damaged.
Police were informed and when they rushed to the scene to investigate, they were also attacked and their Ford Ranger truck was damaged.
Reinforcements were called in but they were stoned by the youths.
"The youths were singing and chanting MDC-T slogans while there were also people who were taking photographs and video filming the incidents," Mr Madende said.
When the violence started, he said, MDC-T leaders Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and Mr Tendai Biti disappeared from the scene and did not warn their supporters to desist from such acts.
The supporters later disappeared after riot police was called in to calm the situation.
No arrests were made.
Mr Madende said several mourners were injured and one of them, a tout, is reported to be in a serious condition and admitted in hospital.
However, the private media yesterday alleged that scores of Zanu-PF youths besieged Warren Hills cemetery where Mr Tsvangirai was unveiling tombstones on the graves of five MDC-T supporters, disrupting proceedings.
It was alleged that the youths arrived in commuter omnibuses and chased away people who had come for the ceremonies.
But Harare provincial police spokes person Inspector James Sabau yesterday said when the mourners arrived at the cemetery, some MDC-T youths that were already there thought they were their colleagues.
"They then started to direct the convoy so that they will park their vehicles near where they had grouped. After some of the mourners disembarked, they discovered that they were MDC-T supporters and rushed back to their vehicle," he said.
Insp Sabau said the MDC-T youths identified some Zanu-PF supporters in the process and started throwing stones towards them.
He said the mourners and Zanu-PF supporters escaped and a report was made to the police who went to the scene.
"That is when one of the MDC-T youths hit the fender of the police vehicle, damaging it. The youths started throwing stones at the police before the reaction group was called in but they continued," he said.
Tear smoke was then used to disperse them.
Insp Sabau said they condemned unprovoked violence at all costs and would not hesitate to arrest anyone, without fear or favour.
On Wednesday, PM Tsvangirai was quoted describing Zanu-PF "as merchants of death" and alleged that there was continued violence in the country.
He also attacked Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri for alleged selective application of the law
Last month, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri warned unruly elements behind political violence that the force was ready and out in full force to maintain law and order.
He said the force was going to remain resilient and very tough on the ground.
Comm-Gen Chihuri's sentiments came in the wake of political violence, which was being perpetrated by the MDC-T in and around the city.
He said some of the people were stage managing violence and created chaos to give an impression that there was mayhem and anarchy in the country.
Recent investigations by the police revealed that the MDC-T was behind some of the political violence being perpetrated in and around the city this year.
In a statement, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said the force would not be deterred in the discharge of its constitutional duties and would not need anyone to remind them of their obligations.
He assured the people that they were prepared to thwart any one bent on causing mayhem and anarchy in the country.
President Mugabe is on record calling on his partners in the inclusive Government to organise joint meetings with the Zanu-PF leadership to encourage rival party
supporters to desist from political violence.
The President's call is still to be heeded.
Labels: BULAWAYO, MDC VIOLENCE, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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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.
Labels: BULAWAYO, MDC VIOLENCE, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Chihuri fingers Khupe in violence
Super-charged ... Chihuri gesticulates while talking to MPs on Thursday
by Eddie Chihwape
03/03/2011 00:00:00
POLICE chief Augustine Chihuri has sensationally
accused Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, a cabinet minister and four parliamentarians of fomenting violence around the country.
A supercharged Chihuri told the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Home Affairs that
Khupe and her colleague in the MDC led by Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai were
behind most reported incidents of violence around the country.“It’s wrong for you to call me before your committee.
You, the politicians of MDC are causing all the trouble we are having. The political party you are leading is causing problems to the public,” a finger wagging Chihuri said after hearing
accusations from MPs that the Zimbabwe Republic Police was partisanly serving Zanu PF interests.
“The police are only reacting to the crimes that you would have committed and it is wrong for you to accuse us of siding with one political party.”
The Police Commissioner, a former freedom fighter, has publicly stated that he supports President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party.
He said police had recorded 121 cases of violence against MDC supporters compared to “just over 20” blamed on Zanu PF.
The police chief named Khupe, Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone, deputy minister of Youth and Indigenisation Tongai Matutu and three MPs - Douglas Mwonozra, Paul Madzore and Rogers Tazviona – as perpetrators of violence.
Mwonzora and Tazviona are languishing in remand prison following their arrests separately on violence charges.
Makone is in charge of the police but last month had to abruptly cut short her visit to Mbare, where she was assessing the damages wrought by violence blamed on Zanu PF sympathisers. She told journalists travelling with her that she had to rush business “before Zanu PF supporters come for us.”
Chihuri absolved police of any wrongdoing and poured cold water on claims that the ZRP was applying the law selectively. Instead, he blamed the MDC MPs and their supporters for instigating most violence in their constituencies.
The committee chairman Madzore, whom Chihuri fingered in the alleged violence, had a heated exchange with the police chief.
“Commissioner Chihuri let us not personalise issues. We want you to give the details to us on what has happened in Harare and not for you to be pointing fingers at us - the MDC’s MP who are victims of the political violence,” said Madzore.
Madzore challenged Chihuri to explain the pre-June 2008 presidential run-off violence and re-emergence of “militia bases” in Harare’s townships.
“I have come to talk about political violence that is happening in the country and the issue you now want to talk about is being handled by the Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation,” said Chihuri.
“I don’t know about the torture camps you are referring to.”
Accused ... Deputy Prime Minister Khupe at a Harare hotel with Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara in Harare on Thursday
Civic and pro-democracy groups have slammed a wave of recent arrests and rising incidents of political violence which they blame on Zanu PF. Only on Wednesday, Prime Minister Tsvangirai expressed frustration at what he sees as police partisanship.
“State security agents such as the police, the army and the Central Intelligence Organisation have become part of a cabal that is at the centre of a well-orchestrated partisan operation to instil fear in the people of Zimbabwe,” Tsvangirai said.
“The arrest of Munyaradzi Gwisai and 44 others, Hon Douglas Mwonzora and 23 others in Nyanga, and many other innocent villagers and activists across the country is at the centre of impunity, violence and the selective application of the law which has conspired to poison the political atmosphere in the country.”
Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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COMMENT - The MDC wants Zimbabweans to work for whites and foreigners, and not be owners of their own country. Sellouts.
People want jobs, not indeginisation: Khupe
by Staff Reporter
03/10/2010 00:00:00
DEPUTY Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe has said Zimbabweans are more interested in jobs rather than ownership of companies and inisted the government’s indeginisation programme was a death knell for the country’s largely comatose productive sectors.
Khupe, who is the deputy leader of the MDC-T told the party’s supporters in the United States that the government’s controversial indigenisation laws would impede economic recovery by scaring away much-needed foreign investment.
“Our people are not crying for ownership of industry. They need jobs to be able to feed their families,” she said.
Under the country’s empowerment laws, foreign-owned companies are required to ensure at least 51 percent of their shareholding is controlled by locals.
But Khupe said the legislation was a threat to economic recovery.
“This is not the time to implement the indigenisation program in the form and shape defined by ZANU PF. With 90 percent of Zimbabweans unemployed and whole industries closing down, it is very futile for the ZANU PF leadership to be calling for wholesale indigenisation of the few remaining industries,” she said.
The coaltion government is split along party lines over the legislation.
Khupe said Zimbabweans did not have the resources to acquire the 51 percent shareholding in the targeted companies adding that the programme was not aimed at empowering ordinary people.
“Who has the money to buy the 51 percent of the shares they want off loaded? Who will buy those shares?
[And who has the money to buy Zimbabwean state assets when they are privatised, Deputy PM Khupe? I'm sure you would prefer white foreign ownership of Zimbabwe's assets. - MrK]
“Is it the people in my constituency of Makokoba, or Dotito or Muzarabani? No. (It) will be the same connected individuals that continue to feed on the economic and corruption trough,” Khupe said.
[So it would be better that they were owned by LonRho and Anglo American de Beers, right? - MrK]
Zimbabwe’s coalition government appears split along party lines over the indeginisation programme which has also triggered gitters among foreign investors.
A review targeted at coming up with sector-specific thresholds is underway and companies, particularly in the mining sector are also hoping that consideration will be given to social spend in communities as well as infrastructure development.
[In other words, she is shilling for the mining industry, which hopes that the odd support for a football team or a road to their mines will get them out from under paying taxes or sharing profits. - MrK]
Labels: THOKOZANE KHUPE
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(TALKZIMBABWE) DPM Khupe 'assaults' police officer at roadblock
DPM Khupe 'assaults' police officer at roadblock
By: TC-TZG
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 10:24 am
DEPUTY Prime Minister, Ms Thokozani Khupe, allegedly assaulted a police officer at a roadblock near Zhombe Business Centre on Saturday, police have confirmed. The incident happened on Saturday morning as the convoy of MDC-T leaders and supporters’ vehicles headed for the party’s 11th anniversary celebrations in Gokwe.
A source told Chronicle newspaper that a police officer manning the roadblock at Zhombe Business Centre (commonly known as Joel) stopped the convoy and demanded to search all vehicles as he insisted that it was the procedure at all roadblocks in Zimbabwe.
“The chauffeur told the police officer that it was not possible for him to search the car as he was travelling with the Deputy Prime Minister and should be allowed to pass without being searched,” said the source.
DPM Khupe’s car was ahead of the convoy, the source said.
The source said the police officer insisted on carrying out the search.
“Ms Khupe’s driver was adamant that the vehicle could not be searched by the police but the officer stood his ground and insisted that all vehicles were supposed to be searched,” said the source.
The source said the police officer’s action infuriated the Deputy Prime Minister who then alighted from her vehicle and confronted him.
“Ms Khupe held the policeman by the collar and dragged him towards her car. She also squeezed his neck threatening to choke him. The Deputy Prime Minister then demanded his particulars and went away with them,” said the source.
MDC-T party spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa who is also the Minister for Information Communications Technology, confirmed the incident.
He however dismissed the incident as minor.
“There was a misunderstanding between the Deputy Prime Minister and a policeman at a roadblock but it’s nothing to write home about. The issue has since been resolved,” said Mr Chamisa.
Chamisa said if the reporter wanted details of what transpired he should talk to Ms Khupe.
Efforts to get a comment from Ms Khupe were fruitless as her phone was not reachable.
Police confirmed the incident
House of Assembly member for Mkoba, Amos Chibaya, also said he witnessed the incident.
He said he nearly got himself into trouble when he forcibly opened the way at the roadblock for the MDC-T convoy to pass.
“I personally asked the police to arrest me if they had a personal agenda against the MDC-T party. I can confirm that I forced them to open the way for the MDC supporters and officials to pass,” said Chibaya.
Labels: MDC CORRUPTION, MDC VIOLENCE, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Khupe backs devolution calls
by Staff Reporter
08/07/2010 00:00:00
DEPUTY Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe has backed calls for the devolution of power, seeking to influence a process underway to draw up a new constitution.
On a visit to the United Kingdom this week, Khupe said the debate on devolution was often clouded by “unfounded fears” that its proponents were seeking to divide the country on tribal lines.
“When we talk about devolution, people must not think that we are talking about promoting tribalism,” Khupe told a public meeting called by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group in London on Tuesday.
Khupe said devolution of power would ensure local problems are tackled with local solutions instead of central government prescribing uniform policies for different communities.
To applause, Khupe said: “Central government could choose to construct a road in Plumtree, yet the people there may prefer a deep tank or something more important to them.”
Senior figures in Khupe’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party including party leader, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Water Resources Minister Sam Sipepa Nkomo and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga have all backed devolution calls which are strong in the south-western parts of the country.
Khupe says while there is unanimity on devolution, divisions may occur around the country on the scope of the devolution and how it would work in practise.
The opposition ZAPU, which welcomed Khupe’s speech in London, has proposed the division of the country into five regions -- Mashonaland, Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland and Midlands -- from the current 10 provinces.
“Elected governors and regional assemblies with power to manage public services and resources would politically and economically empower Zimbabweans and encourage cultural and social diversity,” ZAPU said in a statement.
Parliament has deployed teams throughout the country to gather people’s views on a new constitution, and devolution is expected – along with gay rights, police powers and presidential powers and term limits – to dominate the hearings.
Labels: REGIONALISM, THOKOZANE KHUPE, TRIBALISM
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Business forum set for Accra
ZIMBABWE and Ghana are expected to hold a business forum here at the end of this month, a platform that will bring together business persons from the two countries in a development that is also expected to strengthen bilateral relations.
The forum, which is expected to draw more than 400 participants, is being organised by the two countries’ embassies and will see business persons from the two countries share notes and identify areas of cooperation between the two countries. Preparations for the forum also coincided with a visit by Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe to Accra.
She is also expected to meet both members of the public and private sector to learn from them how women in Zimbabwe can best be empowered. The forum will be held on May 31 2010.
In an interview, Zimbabwean Ambassador to Ghana Mrs Pavelyn Musaka said preparations for the forum were at an advanced stage.
She said she was liasing with Zimbabwe Investment Authority, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce from Harare and Ghana Investment Promotion Centre in Accra. “It is quite exciting because the forum is coming at a time when Ghana has just made a discovery of oil which is estimated to realize about US$20 billion in the next 20 years when fully explored,” said Mrs Musaka.
“We are inviting members from both the public and private sector, women entrepreneurs, Zimbabweans in the diaspora to attend the forum.
“The discovery of oil in Ghana’s Western region is also expected to assist downstream industries like those in the manufacturing, infrastructure, agri-business, construction, among others.”
Zimbabweans will share with their Ghananian business counterparts their knowledge in commercial agriculture, tourism and construction, said Mrs Musaka.
“Our embassy here is convinced that Zimbabwe has a lot to benefit, since Ghana imports 70 percent manufactured products and there are real chance of creating a lucrative lunch markets here for our small to medium enterprise and other businesses,” said Mrs Musaka.
Trade between Zimbabwe and Ghana has been low and the forum will give a platform for the two countries to identify possible areas of cooperation as the two countries seeks to enhance trade and bilateral cooperation between them.
“The coming of the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe cannot be at a better time than now, as we prepare this forum. We hope that she will also share experience from both the public and private sector here on possible areas of cooperation,” she said.
DPM Khupe was accompanied by Public Works Minister Theresa Makone on an official four-day visit where she will met leaders from both the public and the private sector.
She visited Elimina Castle, in Central region on Monday, where there is a museum and she was shown a holding house for slaves while they awaited their transportation to Europe during the slave trade.
Ghana has preserved the house and turned it into a museum and monument as it reflects the slave trade that saw many Africans being captured by Europeans to go and work as slaves.
The DPM was in Bangladesh where she met Government representatives, central bank management and Grameen Bank in her quest to establish a women’s bank.
It is envisaged that the women’s bank would lend money to women with no stringent conditions attached like requiring of collateral security.
Requirement of collateral has in the past years been a stumbling block in Government’s efforts to empower the marginalised, as many financial institutions have demanded collateral as a pre-condition to lend loans.
Labels: ACCRA, BUSINESS, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Journos should be objective: Pres Mugabe, DPM Khupe
Nancy Pasipanodya
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:12:00 +0000
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe and Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe have urged journalists to be objective when reporting on the situation in Zimbabwe, in particular, and Africa in general.
President Mugabe and Ms Khupe were speaking at an inter-active debate with journalists in Munyonyo, Uganda where they are attending the Smart Partnership Dialogue in Uganda. The event entered its third and final day today.
President Mugabe urged journalists to work freely, not become 'agents' of news organisations like CNN and the BBC.
"There are agencies like BBC, CNN. When you act as agents (correspondents) of those kinds of media, do you have the option of being impartial?” he asked.
He said journalists should report freely without fear of losing their jobs and adhere to journalistic principles, rather than promote Western agendas masked in their sympathetic media.
Prolonged applause filled the hall as the president fired these questions.
“If they are pursuing a hostile attitude, do you protect the interests of Africa because you are Africans? Can you report truthfully or factually or do you fear losing your jobs?”
He urged African journalists not to serve neo-colonialist or imperialist interests.
He said journalists should do their work freely and avoid being hostile to leaders and their countries.
President Mugabe also told journalists that the inclusive Government formed in February is working well and that his relationship with PM Tsvangirai was very cordial and respectful, and commended Comesa and Sadc leaders for their support in the formation of the inclusive Government in Zimbabwe.
Other Presidents also commented on the work done by journalists on the African continent and reporting on the continent from abroad.
"Why are journalists always interested in telling bad stories about Africa as if there were no good stories to write about the continent?" asked Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.
"By painting the bad image of the continent you stop the good story from being told."
The host of the Dialogue, President Yoweri Museveni accused the media of specialising in "telling lies and writing about things they don't know."
Deputy prime minister Tokozani Khupe asked bluntly why media reports are always 'lopsided' and only seeking negativity.
"Why are media reports on Africa always lopsided? There are many success stories to talk about as well," said DPM Khupe.
DPM Khupe added that the Munyonyo Smart Partnership Dialogue which ends today in Uganda has been an eye-opener to her and other delegates from Africa on how the countries of the south can develop themselves.
She said her being part of the delegation has given her a chance to interact and discuss with others the challenges facing their respective countries.
"Zimbabwe can develop without external funding if the people work hard and add value to their resources," she added.
The President made the remarks after he and his counterparts officially launched the peace centre and committed themselves to non-aggression towards each other.
President Museveni, together with President Mugabe and the leaders of Tanzania, Zambia and Swaziland, as well as former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and former Botswana President Sir Ketumile Masire, drew wooden spears and pierced the ground to mark their commitment.
"I want to declare this place a peace shrine," President Museveni said.
"It can be used by the warring parties in Darfur even if they are not on our side politically. I hope the ICC will not ask us to arrest some people because they will be on neutral ground," he added in reference to the ICC prosecutors call to Uganda to arrest President Oma Al-Bashir if he attended the conference.
Omar Al-Bashir who was indicted over war crimes in Darfur, did not attend the conference.
* This report was compiled from various sources including Uganda's New Vision newspaper from whom the image was sourced.
Labels: MEDIA, MUGABE, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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Tsvangirai defies Khupe, MDC-T statement
Floyd Nkomo
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:46:00 +0000
PM Tsvangirai arrives at Harare airport on Monday where he was met by Cabinet ministers including Public Works Minister Theresa Makone (pictured above). He was returning from a state visit to the EU and US. Also arriving on the same flight was Deputy President Joice Mujuru who was returning from a UN Summit on the global economic and financial crisis.
PRIME MINISTER Morgan Tsvangirai has defied a statement made by his party's vice-president and Deputy Prime Minister that the inclusive Government was in danger of collapsing.
DPM Khupe, who led a boycott of a rescheduled Cabinet meeting yesterday had indicated that the power-shraing deal was threatened by what she called President Mugabe's "unilateralism, disrespect, contempt and refusal to recognise the reality and the letter of the global political agreement".
PM Tsvangirai refuted claims that President Mugabe was blocking reform.
He was speaking to reporters a day after returning from a state visit to the EU and US.
"There are frustrations," Tsvangirai said of the comments Monday from his deputy, Thokozani Khupe, about disengaging. But "certainly I can assure you there's no pulling out of this agreement. There's no reason the (inclusive) Government is going to collapse."
Khupe had made a hullabaloo of President Mugabe's decision to reschedule the weekly Cabinet meeting from Tuesday to Monday because he was going to be out of town for an African Union summit in Libya.
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Vice-President Joice Mujuru (R) arrives at Harare airport on Monday where she was met by Cabinet ministers including ICT Minister Nelson Chamisa (L) and Public Works Minister Theresa Makone (pictured above). She was returning from a UN Summit on the global economic and financial crisis.
Under the Global Political Agreement, President Mugabe is the Head of State and Government and chairs Cabinet. PM Tsvangirai chairs the Council of Ministers and deputises the president in Cabinet.
PM Tsvangirai said Tuesday he and President Mugabe would discuss sticking points in the inclusive Government when the president returns from the AU summit.
Tsvangirai also defied a call by his party calling on the neighboring countries in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to step in to help sort out remaining issues.
He said that Zimbabwe's leaders were capable of finding a lasting solution on the remaining issues.
"We can do this on our own," Tsvangirai said. "We don't even need Sadc at this point."
Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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MDC-T ministers' behaviour appalling
Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:20:00 +0000
DEAR EDITOR - I read an article in the Herald newspaper entitled "MDC-T snubs summit delegates". I have to register my disappointment and shame at the behaviour of MDC-T ministers prior to the Comesa meeting.
Apparently the MDC-T Cabinet ministers were absent at the Victoria Falls Airport when visiting Heads of State and Government and their delegations from the Comesa region were arriving.
According to the Herald report the "MDC-T ministers had been assigned to accompany visiting delegations from the airport to their hotels in the resort town ahead of the official opening of the 13th Comesa Summit yesterday" in line with official diplomatic protocol.
However, it was reported that "none of the ministers turned up and a potentially embarrassing situation was only averted after other ministers who went to the airport of their own volition were hastily asked to fill in the gaps."
An official from the Protocol department reported: "Several ministers from all political parties were told that they would be attached to specific delegations and they would accompany these to their hotels after they were welcomed into the country by Vice President (Joice) Mujuru.
"We had a mini-crisis when it was discovered that none of the honourable men and women from MDC-T were in attendance to carry out this important State function.
"In the end we had to ask other ministers who were at the airport to do the duties of their friends who were absent."
"Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe also appeared to be shying away from delegates who flew in for the Comesa summit," reported the Herald.
"At a reception held for delegates at the Boma restaurant, DPM Khupe was seen sitting away from the delegates.
"When asked by Government officials to join the delegates, she reportedly replied that she was in Victoria Falls on "private business". She only moved after senior State officials implored her to do so.
I have to say I am embarassed by the actions of these ministers who do not seem to understand their role in the new inclusive Government.
This seems like a well-planned move by the MDC-T Cabinet ministers. Surely this could not have been a coincidence.
The MDC-T party fails to realise that even if there was an MDC-only-ruled Zimbabwe, they would still need these regional trading partners and Comesa will still exist.
Many of these individuals in Cabinet today are the same ones who were criticizing Sadc leaders before the formation of the inclusive Government, but are now running to them seeking aid.
These are the same individuals who are hoping to get diplomatic posts in the near future when they violate simple protocol.
I am surprised, or maybe not, that the embarassing behaviour we saw sometime ago in Parliament is still very much alive in the MDC-T party after the formation of the inclusive Government.
I have to say that these leaders need to shape up or ship out. The MDC-T party needs to set up its own protocol department to whip these people into line.
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Peter Chimutsa writes from London. He can be contacted via: peterchimutsa@yahoo.com
Labels: MDC, MINISTERS, THOKOZANE KHUPE
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