Mwonzora to punish Khupe abusers

The newly elected MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora says his part has instructed its structures to investigate and identify the person who reportedly slapped Thokozani Khupe at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Sunday.

Khupe was slapped while she was trying to leave the venue of the extraordinary congress following some chaotic scenes that almost turned violent.

So abusive were the youths, to the extent of calling Khupe a prostitute and her security had a torrid time trying to protect her from the pursuing youths.

Addressing the press at Harvest House, Mwonzora said his party does not condone violence and the people involved will be brought to book.

“When we saw a clip suggesting that somebody tried or did assault Madam Khupe, we do not condone that barbarism and we have instructed the secretary for security, secretary for youth assembly as well as the national chairman’s office to work together with officials from at HICC, to identify the culprit or the culprits and bring them to book.

“As we have said before we do not have room for violence in our party and if that person is caught and if that person is identified they will be dealt with as firmly as possible,” he said.

Mwonzora also told the media that he was saddened that Khupe was called a prostitute by some party youths, adding that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We also are saddened to hear certain slurs directed at Madam Khupe, we do not condone that as well and to that end, we are calling upon our officials that I have mentioned to investigate these people and bring them to book.

“There is no room in my administration, there is no room in my leadership for hate, we do not condone sexism, regionalism or tribalism.

“Our leadership has a great responsibility, first we have to unite the party and we want to unite it into a credible change agent,” he said.