Thokozani Khupe Assault MDC-T Extraordinary Congress 2020

Thokozani Khupe at MDC-T Congress in December 2020

Background

MDC-T leader, Thokozani Khupe was manhandled by supporters believed to be aligned to a rival presidential candidate, Douglas Mwonzora, in the middle of an Extraordinary Congress designed to replace the late MDC founding president, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Aftermath

Mwonzora Suspension

After the incident, Khupe wrote a letter to Mwonzora on 27 December 2020 indicating that he had been suspended for violating some sections of the MDC-T constitution.

Part of the letter read:

Following the recent developments in the party in which you have been involved in fraudulent activities regarding electoral procedures of the MDC-T Extraordinary Congress, instituting violence to our members and election agents as well as inappropriately withdrawing party funds without following due process, you acted in a manner inconsistent with express or implied conduct of your membership of the party, putting the party into disrepute … Accordingly, in terms of clause 9.1.2.3 of the constitution of the party, you are hereby suspended from your position as secretary-general of the party. During the period of your suspension, you shall not perform any duties as secretary-general.

In response, Mwonzora urged Khupe to accept the will of the people. He also dismissed his alleged suspension by Khupe as a non-event.

He said:

I can’t be suspended by a fellow candidate in an election, during an election, and in a few minutes time or in a few hours time we will have a new president and it is up to that president and the national executive to deal with this matter. It is an act of illegality.

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