Through his spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka, MDC-T leader and MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa has responded to Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere’s dismissal of an urgent application which had been filed against the leader of the breakaway MDC-T party, Thokozani Khupe. The application which was filed by MDC-T (Chamisa) acting chairperson Mr Morgen Komichi wanted to stop Dr Thokozani Khupe, Mr Abednico Bhebhe and Mr Obert Gutu, from “unlawfully exploiting and abusing its registered MDC-T trademark, symbols and signs.” Komichi argued that the trio had been dismissed from the party and had no right to use the party trademark, symbols and signs as this would lead to confusion.
In a statement by Tamborinyoka, Chamisa says that Khupe and her allies remain expelled from the party. Tamborinyoka says the Chamisa led party will do everything in its power to stop Khupe from abusing the party name, signs and symbols. Read the full judgement below:
The High court judgement by Justice Francis Bere may have allowed expelled members of the MDC-T to continue to abuse the party’s name, logo, trademark and symbols but it does not in any way change the political reality on the ground.
The political reality is that Dr. Khupe and her cabal remain expelled from the party and recalled from Parliament by the legitimate organs of the party and that the party continues to be on the roll. The massive turn-out at President Adv. Nelson Chamisa’s rallies is testimony to the fact and the political reality obtaining on the ground.
As for Justice Bere’s judgement, we believe it is political, controversial, appealable and contestable.In the court of public opinion, Zimbabweans are clear that the MDC-T and the MDC Alliance are the only games in town.
The party will do all in its power to stop the abuse of its name, logo, trademark and symbols in line with the resolution of the party’s national council.
On the ground, President Adv. Chamisa is continuing with his huge, popular and well-attended rallies in the country’s rural areas.
Behold the new!
Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications