MDC-T president Dr Thokozani Khupe is getting ready for a takeover of the MDC Alliance Harare headquarters and party assets after she has said she is now contacting MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora to implement the High Court ruling which says Nelson Chamisa is an illegitimate MDC leader.
Khupe, who was the last elected vice president of the MDC at the October 2014 Congress, has welcomed the High Court ruling and said she “and other elected leaders” will see how they can map the way forward.”
In a statement through her spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni, Khupe said:
“Dr Thokozani Khupe, welcomes and accepts the judgement of the High court of Zimbabwe in Harare.
‘This victory not only vindicates Dr Khupe and those in the MDC that have always stood for principle over political expediency but it’s a victory for all democratic forces and the rule of law in our country.”
In apparent reference to legal analyst Alex Magaisa, Khupe also slammed “legal scholars” and political analysts who had chosen to side with Nelson Chamisa.
“This judgement is also a damning indictment to the many so called legal scholars in the broader democratic movement who for the past years like the disgraced biblical Pontius Pilate looked the other way when the movement was veering off our founding values with such alarming impunity.
“Justice Edith Mushore, reminded us again what it is to be Zimbabwean by choosing courage and integrity over bigotry, misogyny, cowardice and mobocracy.
“It is therefore not surprising that those who seek power through violence and fraud are not able to successfully impeach her “Ratio decidendi” and are descending to their lowest weapon of choice which is personal insults and attacks on our judiciary.
“Dr Khupe will soon be contacting the SG of the party, Dr Mwonzora, and other elected leaders to see how best they can implement the ruling of the High Court.”
The MDC-T leader said she welcomed the rights of the Chamisa camp to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Courts, adding that all Zimbabweans deserve a fair and just opportunity to be heard.
She expressed confidence that even if Chamisa appeals the ruling, her camp will emerge victorious.
“Dr Khupe has noted and welcomes the intention by some to appeal the judgment as this will give the superior courts an opportunity to confirm the universal rights of all Zimbabweans to fair and just administrative justice within any social organisation of their choice.
“Dr Khupe demands all members of our movement to unite and be magnanimous at this time irrespective of their chosen side in this debacle.”
Her deputy at the MDC-T, Obert Gutu has also described as well-researched the High Court ruling nullifying Nelson Chamisa’s MDC presidency.
“I have read Justice Edith Mushore’s full judgment. It is extremely well-researched on both salient aspects of the law and the facts. It’s a brilliantly written judgement.
“Any decent lawyer worth his/salt will tell you that when you don’t agree with the ruling of a court of law, you don’t lambast the judicial officer and/or any other court official for that matter. You simply lodge an appeal against the court’s ruling to a superior court. Simple!” said Gutu, who left the Chamisa-led MDC when he differed with others on the way Chamisa rose to the throne.
She finally called on her supporters to not verbally assault Nelson Chamisa and those who support him.
“Honourable Advocate Nelson Chamisa, and those close to him must not be verbally abused or belittled in any way, shape or form. He remains an indispensable leader of our movement and to that end he deserves the uttermost respect from all disciplined cadres of our movement.”
The Chamisa-led MDC was set to hold a general Congress from 24 to 26 May in Gweru.
