By Bulawayo Correspondent| Beleaguered MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe appears to be getting unexpected endorsements from varied sectors within Matabeleland region amidst revelations that several Civil Society Organisations from the region have confirmed that they will be attending her rally in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Organisers of the rally indicated that at least thirty of the CSOs under the banner of Matabeleland CSO Collective have indicated that they will be attending the rally with a few of them allocated space to give solidarity messages.
“We enjoy a very cordial relationship with the regional CSOs who issued a statement condemning the attack on Dr Khuphe and others when she was nearly burnt alive in Buhera last month,” said one of the organisers.
“We have invited about thirty Civil Society representatives operating under the banner of the Matabeleland CSO Collective and they have indicated their willingness to grace the event,” he said.
“We will however not be able to give all of them a chance to give solidarity speeches but will pick a few to represent the different sectors of the society.”
National Organising Secretary for the MDC-T Abednico Bhebhe invited the CSOs in a letter sent on an official party letter head on Thursday.
Part of the invitation provided to ZimEye.com reads,
“On behalf of Hon. Dr Thokozani Khupe and on my own behalf may I express our profound appreciation for your public statement issued as the Matabeleland Region CSOs Collective following an unprecedented attack, hate speech and attempt on our lives in a funeral of our late dear leader in Buhera on 20/02/2018.
“I believe that all progressive people who still care about a democratic agenda for a future Zimbabwe free from all forms of discrimination, violence and underdevelopment would appreciate your collective stand against violence regardless of its source.
“We would like to reaffirm our commitment to social justice and a democratic country
which the majority of the impoverished and oppressed citizens aspire for.
“Inspite of the challenges and crisis in the democratic movement, especially on the political front we urge you to continue your vigilance and being the voice of the voiceless.
“It is in that spirit that I take this opportunity to invite you and your constituency to have an observatory role on our public meeting on 18th March 2018 at Bulawayo
Amphitheatre from 10am and give a five minute solidarity message.”
The sources who would not be named said that they are expecting civil society organisations from the women’s movements, the youth, church, vendors and residents movement within the region to be represented at the gathering.
Confirmed reports also indicate that some members of the radical Mthwakazi Kingdom restoration proponents have offered to attend the meeting “to give Khuphe the much needed support.”
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Thursday, Dr Khuphe’s personal assistant Witness Dube would not be drawn to disclose the agenda of the meeting only stating that it is one of Khuphe’s continued consultation meetings.