By Yvonne Manjengwa

Tens of thousands of mourners paid their last respects to opposition leader and pro-democracy icon Morgan Tsvangirai at his rural homestead in Humanikwa village, Buhera, yesterday.

Drama erupted as one of the party’s deputy presidents, Thokozani Khupe and secretary general Mr Douglas Mwonzora were rabidly attacked by a mob of rogue MDC-T Youths.

According to Khupe, as they arrived at the homestead, they saw some youths approaching them and started beating them with bare hands and bricks.

“We were then rescued by some villager who took us into their home and the youths did not stop throwing bricks. I was hit on the back by one of the stray bricks. The youths then threatened to burn down the house, but because it was raining, there was only smoke which could not go further”, said Khupe.

The youths considered Dr Khupe and Mr Mwonzora as obstacles to co-vice president Nelson Chamisa’s road to leading the party.

It is alleged that Dr Khupe has boycotted meetings convened by Chamisa in disapproval over what she feels is his unconstitutional rise to power.

Of the three vice presidents, only Khupe was elected by the party’s congress in 2014 and the other two were appointed by the late Tsvangirai in 2016.

Addressing mourners Nelson Chamisa said “We came a long way with mdara (old man),” referring to Tsvangirai.

“I know what he wanted and he knew my capabilities that is why he entrusted me to be the party leader. So it is upon us all to respect the current president and unite as a party.” said Chamisa.

The ruling party ZANU-PF was represented by Cde Oppah Muchinguri –Kashiri who noted that good works speak for themselves and this is evidenced by the huge crowd in attendance at the funeral.

Other people who spoke at the funeral included Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, National People’s Party president Dr Joyce Mujuru, Former deputy Prime Minister in the inclusive government Professor Arthur Mutambara and Oliver Mutukudzi amongst others.

Heavy rains did not deter tens of thousands of MDC –T supporters and Zimbabweans in general, who thronged Humanikwa village to bid farewell and pay their last respects to the country’s former Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, some believe that the MDC-T party could split following the death of Tsvangirai, while others are of the notion that it could re-energize itself under new leadership.