By Lloyd Takawira
MDC-T interim president, Thokozani Khupe and lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku were heckled at Ambuya Chamisa’s funeral in Gutu only to be rescued by their political rival, Nelson Chamisa.
Khupe and Madhuku had gone to extend their condolences and attend the funeral proceedings at Chamisa’s rural home.
Ambuya Chamisa died on Monday and was laid to rest this Wednesday at Chidyamakuni Village, Makwiriwindi area of Chiwara.
Thousands attended her burial.
Khupe who has been locked in an acrimonious battle with Chamisa had been blocked by agitated MDC A supporters from joining the burial proceedings.
In a separate incident Madhuku who represented Khupe in the court case that saw Chamisa being declared an illegitimate MDC president was booed at while delivering his speech.
Chamisa who intervened told his supporters that he held no grudges with Madhuku even if their opinions sometimes differed.
“Madhuku has his own history. Yes, we disagree politically, but we agree with him on many issues about this country.
“What he has done to come and coming as far as Harare to mourn with us should be respected.
“To appreciate that, I say Professor Madhuku, thank you for coming to mourn my mother, we want citizens that live in peace and love. We must build this country after forgiveness,” he said.
Opposition LEAD president, Linda Masarira had no kind words for the conduct of the MDC-Alliance supporters.
She took to twitter saying, “@DrThoko_Khupe has been embarrassed & chased away @nelsonchamisa mothers funeral. What happened to Ubuntu? Since when do we chase away people at funerals. It is high time that @nelsonchamisa calls his supporters to order. A leader should instil values in his followers.”
Political analyst, Frank Chauke said, “there is need for political leaders to draw a line in the sand and say , let’s discpline supporters who became wayward and overzealous . Khupe and Chamisa have been, since 2018, been locked in a gruesome leadership wrangle that has recently turned nasty. They need to find each other “.
