PLUMTREE – The Matabeleland South Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) last Thursday summoned MDC’s former MP for Bulilima East Norman Mpofu to answer to charges of making political statements during the funeral wake of an MDC-T activist. Report by Silas Nkala
Mpofu, who has since defected to the MDC-T, was arrested on November 2 after Zanu PFactivists accused him of describing Zanu PF supporters as thieves and murderers during a speech at Sindile Napa’s funeral wake in Thekwane on October 20.
He was only released from police custody following the intervention of his lawyer Nontokozo Dube Tachiwona.
On Thursday, a Jomic team led by Petros Mukwena (MDC), Andrew Langa (Zanu PF), and Morgan Dube (MDC-T) reportedly quizzed him for turning a funeral wake into an MDC-T rally.
Both Mpofu and Mukwena confirmed the development yesterday.
“We solved the dispute on Thursday and reconciled,” said Mukwena. “Zanu PF members had complained that Mpofu spoke against Zanu PF principles at the funeral of their relative when he was given the platform. Our duty is to create a platform for reconciliation and we did that.”
Mpofu told NewsDay that Zanu PF members also accused him of distributing MDC-T T-shirts at the funeral. “I agreed that it happened and there was nothing wrong with that as all political parties do that,” said Mpofu.
“I have been at the National Heroes’ Acre and witnessed Zanu PF slogans and regalia at national functions. Zanu PF must learn to tolerate others as they have been doing what they accused me of but we did not stop them.”
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Mpofu said he was accused of mobilising people against State security agents, a charge he has denied.
