Jonson rubbishes Khupe as a spent force

0Shares

Mthuli Ncube and Thoko Khupe to battle for Cowdray Park seat

Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park constituency will witness a fierce contest between Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and former Deputy Prime Minister Thoko Khupe in the 23 August 2023 general election. The two candidates represent the ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) respectively.

The race has attracted the attention of former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, who has advised Khupe not to challenge Ncube for the seat. Moyo, who is now in exile after the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, said Ncube is the best possible candidate for Cowdray Park and the region.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Moyo said Ncube deserves the support of everyone in Cowdray Park and the region, including and particularly from Khupe. He argued that Ncube has nothing much to gain personally, but he has everything to offer from which the community and the region have a lot to benefit.

“This is an objective fact. It’s praxis, and that’s what real politics is all about: the community using what it has [Prof Ncube] to get what it needs [development] and regular high level attention as might be necessary from time to time over the next five years,” Moyo tweeted ¹.

Moyo acknowledged that Khupe has a constitutional right to stand for the parliamentary election in Cowdray Park or anywhere else, but he said she should not be surprised to see many who have supported her in the past do the right thing to support Ncube this time round.

“This is because in this case, and on this occasion, support for Prof Ncube is support for everyone in Cowdray Park, the region and the nation, given the truism that the best national politics is local!” Moyo added.

Moyo’s tweets sparked mixed reactions from social media users. Some agreed with his analysis and praised Ncube for his economic policies and achievements. Others disagreed and accused Moyo of being biased and delusional. Some questioned Moyo’s credibility and motives for endorsing Ncube.

Here are some of the responses:

@TinasheMakoni: “Prof Moyo is spot on. Prof Ncube is a visionary leader who has done wonders for our economy despite sanctions and Covid-19. He deserves our support and respect.”
@LindaMasarira: “Prof Moyo is out of touch with reality. Prof Ncube is a disaster who has ruined our economy with his austerity measures and currency reforms. He deserves our rejection and resistance.”
@BlessingMiles: “Prof Moyo is playing mind games. Prof Ncube is a puppet who has no clue about our problems and needs. He deserves our pity and ridicule.”
@TendaiBiti: “Prof Moyo is talking nonsense. Dr Khupe is a champion who has fought for democracy and justice for decades. She deserves our vote and trust.”
@HopewellChinono: “Prof Moyo is being sarcastic. He knows that Prof Ncube is a failure who has betrayed the people’s hopes and aspirations. He deserves our scorn and contempt.”