Zimbabwe: Opposition head condemns attack on his deputy

By John Cassim

HARARE, Zimbabwe

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, on Monday in Harare, strongly condemned the assault on his deputy Thokozani Khupe by suspected party loyalists.

The alleged attack on Khupe on Sunday, reportedly happened at the party offices in Bulawayo (the country's second largest city), barely 24 hours after the signing of an MDC alliance in Harare -- where seven opposition parties endorsed Tsvangirai as candidate for the 2018 presidential election.

“As the president of the party, I condemn in the strongest terms this callous act of violence committed by these people,” Tsvangirai said.

Following the alleged attack by men wielding sticks and iron bars, the party vice president, Khupe, sought medical attention.

Khupe is said to have criticized her boss over the manner in which the MDC Alliance was being organized, resulting in her conspicuous absence in Harare on Saturday.

However, Tsvangirai dismissed the claims. “As the MDC, we endorsed the idea of an alliance. There may be different approaches that may arise on the process, and internal debates must be engaged. So far, nothing has been said to me on whether anybody has any reservations,” he said.