The infighting in the smaller formation of Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Douglas Mwonzora took a new twist on Friday after its suspended vice president declared herself party leader.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe was suspended by Mwonzora on Thursday as one of the MDC-Tsvangirai (MDC-T)’s co-vice presidents for allegedly taking party issues to court.
A defiant Khupe, however, hit back on Friday, telling journalists in the second city Bulawayo that Mwonzora effectively fired himself from the MDC-T when he announced last week that they will be contesting forthcoming parliamentary by-elections under the MDC Alliance banner.
The MDC Alliance is Zimbabwe’s main opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa, and ironically both Mwonzora and Khupe went to court a few years ago to wrestle the MDC-T name away from Chamisa who then led that formation.
“Mwonzora has informed the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that he will contest the upcoming by-elections under the MDC Alliance party. In so doing, Mwanzora has fired himself from the party because of the MDC-T constitution, membership of the party shall be terminated if a member joins or supports a party other than the MDC-T,” Khupe said.
She announced that the “official split” of the MDC-T, with one faction to be led by herself.
“There are now two MDC-T formations, one led by yours truly, Dr Thokozani Khupe, who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and the other who I don’t know who their leader is.”
Khupe accused Mwonzora of trying to force party members to attend an “unconstitutional” elective congress slated for March.
JN/APA