A journey of thousand miles begins with one step, so goes the saying and according to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)-Tsvangirai party leader and acting President, Dr Thokozani Khuphe, she will not back down to recognise Nelson Chamisa as party president because Chamisa was elected unconstitutionally, but will stand up to protect Dr Morgan Tsvangirai’s legacy of democracy and constitutionalism.
Addressing hundreds of party supporters at an MDC-T rally at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo on Sunday, Dr Khuphe said she is going to stand according to the MDC-T party constitution and nothing will deter her from following the laid down guidelines of the party constitution.
Speaking on the side lines of the MDC-T rally, Dr Khuphe told TenacityPost that she won’t be silenced by violence and she will personally stand for the emancipation of women in leadership positions.
“We have said enough is enough after the violence which we went through in Buhera and Bulawayo. We disassociate with violence and we have declared that we will not be associated with those who perpetuate violence, who do not follow the constitution and as the Acting president of MDC-T, I’m going to fight through all the way. The MDC that we know is not violent and respect democracy and our leaders. We had been beaten and been quite for a long time,” said Dr Khuphe.
MDC-T South African provincial chairperson, Chief Ndlovu said they recognise Dr Khuphe as the acting president, according to their party constitution.
“This is our first meeting in Zimbabwe and we heard that there were Whatsapp messages circulating to sabotage this meeting. We recognise Khuphe as the Acting president and that is why we are here,” said Ndlovu.
Various leaders from MDC-T party structures in different provinces of Matabeleland such as Nkayi, Bubi, Umguza, Tsholotsho, Gwanda, Bulawayo and Harare showed their solidarity and declared they are in support of Dr Khuphe.
Pumula North ward 18 Councillor, Ephraim Ncube said they were in full support for Dr Khuphe and never trusted Nelson Chamisa because he is working in cohorts with Zanu-PF.
“We will never support Chamisa but we are saying Chamisa should be behind Dr Khuphe, the president of the party. Khuphe has gone through a lot, she was deserted by MPs in parliament. It is known that the vice takes over when the president has died,” said Ncube.
Dr Khuphe revealed her six point plan, promising the electorate she will deliver if voted in power.
“We are going to reform the police institutions and army so that they execute their duties according to the constitution. We are going to advocate for devolution of power and local authorities should be given power to manage resources. We condone the government stance on the coronation of the Bulawayo King and we will prioritize infrastructure development and the revamping of the health delivery system. Zimbabwe needs to be globally connected and democracy must prevail by conducting free and fair elections,” said Dr Khuphe.
On the way forward Khuphe said MDC-T will call for a congress to elect leaders that will stand in the elections.
“We have called for an early April special congress and we working with our structures so as to choose our leaders. It doesn’t matter who is going to be elected by the special congress but we must learn to respect the constitution and we will welcome the outcomes,” said Dr Khuphe.
