MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Thokozani Khupe yesterday failed to turn up at a Bulawayo provincial meeting amid reports that disgruntled party members had plotted to embarrass them.
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
MDC-T is reeling from fresh divisions after the party decided to boycott 14 by-elections set for June 10.
The by-elections, five of them in Bulawayo, were declared after MDC-T fired MPs and senators aligned to MDC-Renewal. Khupe was reportedly against the boycott.
Tsvangirai had been billed to address the provincial meeting to explain reasons for the boycott and quell a possible revolt by Khupe loyalists.
Disgruntled party activists had reportedly planned to show their anger over the decision by disrupting the provincial council meeting held at Makokoba’s Stanley Square. Tsvangirai did not travel to Bulawayo.
Khupe was allegedly delegated to address members, but stayed away from the meeting, allegedly to avoid embarrassment.
The provincial council meeting was set to address the issue of contested Bulawayo provincial chairperson post.
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Former acting chairperson, Dorcas Sibanda, has been suspended from the party for refusing to pave way for provincial executive member, Nombula Mguni.
Sibanda has refused to go, saying her ouster is unconstitutional.
Scores of known and alleged Sibanda backers were barred from attending the meeting by security details at the gate.
MDC-T organising secretary, Abednico Bhebhe had to address the meeting following the Tsvangirai-Khupe no-show.
Bhebhe confirmed the planned protests when contacted for comment by Southern Eye.
“We heard that thugs had been bought beer to disrupt the provincial council meeting,” Bhebhe said.
However, he dismissed claims Tsvangirai and Khupe boycotted the meeting fearing humiliation.
“Khupe could not address the provincial council because it was not her meeting,” Bhebhe said.
“The meeting fell under the office of the organising secretary hence my addressing it.”
The post of provincial chairperson became vacant after the High Court ruled that Banda was in office illegally.
This was after senator Matson Hlalo who lost the post to Banda ahead of the MDC-T congress last year approached the courts citing vote-rigging, among other irregularities.
Hlalo is now suing Bhebhe and Banda for defying the High Court.
Hlalo in papers filed last Friday, said Banda was masquerading as the provincial chairperson with Bhebhe’s blessings.
