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Ms Thokozani Khupe

Herald Reporter
Tribalism has rocked the MDC-T in Bulawayo Province as party vice president Ms Thokozani Khupe last week allegedly blocked Councillor Ernest Rafemoyo from being elected deputy mayor because he was not of Ndebele origin. Clr Rafemoyo had won primary elections that were conducted by MDC-T secretary for local government, Mr Blessing Chebundo.

Sources said Ms Khupe used her influence where she controlled the party’s provincial leadership led by Mr Gorden Moyo to elbow out Clr Rafemoyo who hails from Gutu in Masvingo Province.

A few days before the election at council offices, Mr Chebundo conducted primary elections at the party’s provincial offices, where Ward 3 Clr Martin Moyo was elected mayor and Clr Rafemoyo Ward 20 being elected deputy.

“Ms Khupe said Lobengula will turn in his grave if a Shona is elected to lead Bulawayo,” said a source in the party.
According to sources in the party, Khupe summoned councillors of Ndebele origin who had voted for Clr Rafemoyo to be deputy at her Saursetown home and warned them against voting for a Shona deputy mayor in Bulawayo.

They were told to ignore the election result conducted by Mr Chebundo and Mr Gorden Moyo, an ally of Ms Khupe was allegedly tasked to ensure that the directive was executed, according to sources.

They were directed to vote for Clr Gift Banda Ward 5 or Clr Collet Ndlovu Ward 28 as deputy mayors.
On the voting day, Clr Martin Moyo was elected mayor unopposed but when it came to deputy mayor the councillors nominated Clrs Banda, Rafemoyo and Ndlovu for the position.

Banda defeated the two and was elected as new deputy mayor. He garnered 15 votes while Rafemoyo and Ndlovu got eight and seven respectively.

When contacted, Clr Rafemoyo confirmed that he had won the primary election but did not understand why he was elbowed out during voting day at the council civic centre.

“I have since written a letter of complaint to the party. I am now waiting to hear from them,” he said.
Secretary for local government in Bulawayo province, Mr Matson Hlalo said he had received the letter from Clr Rafemoyo. Yes it is true that I have received a letter from Clr Rafemoyo. I am preparing a report for the party which I will present to the leadership in Harare. At the moment it is not proper to say anything before I present my report,” he said.

Although Ms Khupe was not available for comment, Mr Gorden Moyo, who inherited Makokoba constituency from her denied that there was a rift but declined to give details.

“There is no story there. What you have is a concoction of unimaginative mind. Bulawayo has a properly constituted council after the 29 councillors elected their mayor and deputy,” said Mr Moyo.

When told that other officials in the party had indeed confirmed that there was a letter of complaint, Mr Moyo said he was still to see it.
“That has not come to my attention. I have not received any complaint,” he said.