By Staff Reporter| In a major flop, MDC Deputy President Thokozani Khupe has failed to obtain “corporate” civil society support for her mass rally slated for Sunday tomorrow.
Senior officials noted concerns over violence saying they will not allow themselves to be aligned to her rally following her attempts to upstage her nemesis Nelson Chamisa. The latest development as ZimEye reveals has seen Khupe’s personal aide signing a full colour letterhead that states that Khupe is the party’s Acting President.
Khupe’s personal aide, Witness Dube had earlier on written to the civil society requesting solidarity appearances at the Sunday rally. But speaking to ZimEye.com last night, the Western Region Envisioning Collective leader, Jenni Williams shot down the invitation. Her body represents thousands of members.
Williams said members will only attend in their individual capacity while citing among other matters, concerns over violence. (FULL INTERVIEW TO BE PUBLISHED SAT MORNING). Jenni Williams also directly replied the MDC stating, “With reference to the letter of thanks and invitation received from Alfred Ncube and signed by National Organising Secretary MDC-T Abednico Bhebhe. Western Region Envisioning Collective responded as follows : – We are a nonpartisan body and cannot attend the rally as a collective.
“Kindly take this as official communication on behalf of the collective from officials. Should any individual organisations whom you mailed today participate they do so as individuals.
“We pray peace prevails at your rally and you can deliver your messages.”
Zvishavane Senator, Lilian Timveous quipped in while complaining that ” the man behind this invitation is Khupe’s PA, Witness Dube and he has sent out a fake letterhead claiming it has been written from the president’s office. ”
Meanwhile last week, the main victim of recent party violence, Mr Malusi Fuyana told ZimEye of his ordeal as he pointed fingers at Khupe’s aides, in what has enraged many in the party in Bulawayo.
Below is the video recorded interview with Fuyana who was brutally assaulted and filmed on camera at the MDC offices in Bulawayo on the 4th March. Mr Malusi Fuyana, is the MDC-T Ward 16 Chairman.
He speaks to ZimEye.com and alleges that he was attacked by MDC Deputy President Thokozani Khupe’s personal aides who include Mr Witness Dube (pronounced as Ncube). Mr Dube was interviewed by ZimEye.com at the weekend concerning the developments and he is to answer to the latest allegation.
INTERVIEW:
Lionel Saungweme: Ibizo ngubani Mnumzana? (What is your name?)
Malusi Fuyana: Ngingu Malusi Fuyana (I am Malusi Fuyana)
Lionel Saungweme: Kuhamba njani (What is happening?)
Malusi Fuyana: Izolo thina sesisiya ku-meeting (Yesterday as we went to the meeting), it was a legally constituted meeting ehofisini yethu eProvince (at our provincial office). And then when we got there, we discovered that there were some people who were very violent there. And then when I realised that it was not possible for us to do the meeting, I began to walk away home. As I was walking away, I was captured by Witness Dube and struck by a brick, struck with a brick by Dr Moyo and also Bhebhe came where I was, where I was waiting for the ambulance and further attacked me. Yaah!
Lionel Saungweme: So how did you get to hospital?
Malusi Fuyana: I was brought by an ambulance.
Lionel Saungweme: And what is your condition like?
Malusi Fuyana: Aaaah! I am in pain. I am very much in pain. I am very much in pain.
Lionel Saungweme: How many stitches?
Malusi Fuyana: 25 stitches