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MDC suffers another ‘split’

Thokozani Khupe
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Following the demise of its founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has again split. A new logo and the election of new leadership signaled what many had feared would transpire after Tsvangirai’s death in February.

The new MDC-T splinter group led by former MDC-T party Vice President Dr Thokozani Khupe held an extra-ordinary congress in Bulawayo, and elected a new national standing committee and new leadership.

MDC-T accuses the Nelson Chamisa’s led faction of hijacking the leadership and diverting from the founding principles of the organisation.

“We make no apology about calling to order those of our comrades who have hijacked our party to further their goals in political expediency at the expense of the general populace who make this Movement for Democratic Change such a glorious organisation to call home,” said Khupe.

Khupe accused the Chamisa faction of failing to live by the rule of law

“Respect for constitutions does not just start at government level, but within the political system. Clarity begins at home. MDC was founded on constitutionalism and the rule of law. No one can truly be a proud member of our party if they cannot respect their own constitution, and we must never ever allow our country to be ruled outside the constitution… and at the same time, we must never ever allow our political parties to be ruled outside the constitution.”

Former MDC Spokesman, and now elected new Deputy President of the faction, Obert Gutu, weighed in and called for party organs to be remain independent.

“The National Council should not be seen to be usurping the powers of congress as by purporting to elect the president or to elect any member of the National Standing Committee.”

The party says they will soon release their manifesto and the list of all their candidates to contest in the 2018 elections.

Meanwhile, the ruling Zanu-PF will hold their primary elections next Sunday with more than 1 302 candidates set to battle for the 210 National Assembly seats.

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