(Last Updated on December 18, 2020 by GERALD NCUBE)
ZIMBABWE – The internal battles within the MDC-T have continued to take centre stage and expose the disjointed state of the party ahead of the much anticipated Extra-Ordinary Congress (EOC) slated for the 19th of December 2020.
This follows the various contradictory positions that have been taken by party officials about the allegations against Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora, who is accused of abusing party funds.
The party has publicly dispelled the allegations claiming that Mwonzora used the money to pay the legal team that has been representing the party in its various legal battles.
Acting President, Thokozani Khupe also wrote a letter to the police requesting that the case brought up by one Leonard Chisvo against Mwonzora be dropped.
However, Khaliphani Phugeni, the party’s spokesperson who also doubles up as Khupe’s personally spokesperson has come out saying the money was stolen and that he is happy the matter was reported to the police.
“I wish I could defend and say money was not stolen but you have seen a flurry of letters flying all over in the form of different statements from different officials within our party.
“I think I can say this without any shadow of a doubt of contradiction that yes of course money has been stole…
“Yes indeed money has been stolen and I am happy to learn that certain responsible party members have taken this thing to the law enforcement agents. And I hope that they will not shy away (the law enforcement agents) and get themselves involved,” said Phugeni during a live interview with HStv News.
Phugeni also claimed the party’s chairman, Morgen Komichi had confirmed the allegations.
He also said Komichi did not accept the apology from Mwonzora, considers it a fraud and is ready to produce an affidavit to assist with the investigations.
Quizzed on why the party was to involving the police instead of utilising internal processes, Phugeni said they were trying to avoid the situation where the party is accused of trying to discredit Mwonzora ahead of the EOC
“Because of congress as you would have seen much of SG’s (Mwonzora) communication has to do with accusations that they are trying to deal with me because there is a congress.
“And if you listen to the undertones, almost everyone who can deal with this is disqualified under the accusation that they are partisan. So under those circumstances it is always better to then look for an external empowered agency to deal with this,” said Phugeni.
This is despite that some individuals arbitrarily expelled former national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe for allegedly supporting another party.
Bhebhe was said to have been leading the Bulawayo Province nominations ahead of Khupe and Mwonzora who are the most likely front runners for the party’s top position.
There have been growing sentiments that the recent allegations against Mwonzora are also part of the plot to clear the path to victory for Khupe.