THOKOZANI Khupe Exposes Mwonzora He Was Paid To Destroy The Chamisa-Led MDC Alliance

By Staff Reporter
|
76606
|
January 23, 2022

THOKOZANI Khupe has revealed that the MDC-T received assistance from the state through judicial and parliamentary processes in their fight to destroy the Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.

This would seem to confirm the long-held belief that the state is sponsoring turbulences in the opposition party.

Khupe and her former ally, Douglas Mwonzora have crossed paths, with the former deputy prime minister and Makokoba legislator on Friday announcing she had taken over leadership of the party in an acting capacity.

She charged Mwonzora had expelled himself from the opposition party by writing to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on January 3, declaring that he was the leader of the MDC Alliance.

Khupe made the statements during a press conference held in Bulawayo on Friday. Mwonzora had the previous day pulled out and flagged a suspension letter that he said he had handed to Khupe over a week before. The letter states that Khupe had been suspended for transgressions including unholy alliances with perceived enemies and sabotaging party programmes.

In her visibly emotional address to the press on Friday, Khupe unwittingly disclosed that the MDC-T enjoyed the backing of government sponsored processes in the fight against Chamisa’s MDC Alliance. She was appealing to the state not to interfere in her current fight with Mwonzora.

“I would like to conclude by emphasising that today the 21st day of January 2022, the MDC-T has two formations,” Khupe said.

“I am therefore pleading with other political parties; as the MDC-T, I am calling on Parliament, a legislative organ of the state, to desist from taking sides as well as local government, it happened before, and it must not happen again.

“At the same time, I am calling on the ministry of Justice to be fair and just in dealing with our matter.”

Mwonzora and Khupe have long faced accusations of being strange bedfellows with Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF.

On June 11, 2021, Mwonzora met with Mnangagwa at State House where he reportedly sought to push for the scrapping of by-elections now scheduled for March 26. They met again under suspicious circumstances on January 6 soon after the President proclaimed the by-election date.

Mwonzora was given funds under the Political Parties Finance Act despite a court order barring the disbursement of such funds before the challenge by the MDC Alliance was concluded, a development that seemed to confirm MDC-T and Zanu PF had a special spot for each other.

Mwonzora has so far received millions of dollars under the fund. He has also enjoyed favourable publicity in the state media, something that has been unheard of for any opposition party.

Mwonzora has also declared his recognition of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership, with his official, Morgan Femai describing the President as the best. Mwonzora described Mnangagwa an illegitimate leader when he was still MDC Alliance secretary-general. MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has refused to recognise Mnangagwa as a legitimate president.

Suspicion that the MDC-T was working with Zanu PF to influence judiciary processes swirled when Mwonzora and MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi in March 2020 read a prepared speech soon after the Supreme Court ruled that Chamisa was not the bona fide leader of the MDC-T.

The development raised questions on the independence of the judiciary, with many asking how Mwonzora and Komichi knew that the ruling would be in their favour and brought a prepared speech to the court.

The courts later made several more rulings in favour of Khupe and Mwonzora, which the opposition complained about.

In another curious scenario, Mwonzora took over the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai party offices from the MDC Alliance with the help of the army and the police. Chamisa’s MDC Alliance has since been barred from accessing the party offices which have literally been guarded day and night by police and soldiers.

Last week too, a leaked audio went viral with Komichi disclosing that Mwonzora was working with Zanu PF. Komichi, also revealed in the audio that Mwonzora had treacherously ascended to power in the 2020 extraordinary congress, whose results were disputed by Khupe.

But yesterday, Khupe’s spokesperson Ntando Ndlovu denied the allegations that Khupe had let the cat out of the bag by claiming the MDC-T was getting favours from Mnangagwa.

He said Khupe was in fact a victim of a partial Parliament which favoured Chamisa at her expense.

“The Parliament and Justice ministry should not side with Mwonzora as they did with Chamisa against Dr Khupe in 2018 when she was recalled,” Ndlovu said.

“The Parliament has not been fair on how it dealt with the dispute between Dr Khupe and Chamisa. In 2018, Parliament dismissed her letter in which she had notified it to stop considering Chamisa’s intention to recall her, and she was subsequently recalled.

“The Justice ministry also went on to allocate funds under the Political Parties (Finance) Act to Chamisa after she had advised that the party did not qualify for the funds. That is the partiality that she was referring to and that it must not happen again in this case.”

He said Khupe was referring to Chamisa when she said other parties should not interfere in her dispute with Mwonzora, although suspicion was rife that she was referring to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Political analyst and the late Tsvangirai’s former advisor Alex Magaisa said the Mwonzora-Khupe dispute marked the collapse of a “judicially reconstructed party”.

“This circus is a new nadir for the small pseudo-opposition party which owes its existence to a controversial act of judicial reconstruction in March 2020,” Magaisa said.

In March 2020, the Supreme Court ruled Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the MDC. Khupe had approached the High Court in the fight for the MDC and she won her case, leading to Chamisa’s appeal at the Supreme Court.

Khupe was voted in as MDC-T’s deputy president in 2014, but years later, Tsvangirai appointed Chamisa and Mudzuri as his additional deputies.

She argued that this was in contravention of the party’s constitution and that in fact she should have assumed leadership of the party when Tsvangirai died.

“The political partnership between Mwonzora and Khupe has long been a marriage of convenience fortified solely by a jointly held contempt toward Chamisa. For Chamisa and the MDC Alliance, the scene of their opponents bloodletting without provocation must be sweet news,” Magaisa wrote.

In a viral leaked telephone conversation between Komichi and a party youth, only identified as Nhira from Chegutu, Komichi trashed Mwonzora’s claim to legitimacy.

“Therefore, we boycotted the election (elective congress) after the second provinces had voted. So, it was not a congress at all. That was one of the bogus things that we did come across. Those results were just announced by one group of people who did all the counting and everything. So, they announced what they wanted as we had withdrawn from participation,” Komichi said.

Category:
News
Update

Info News

SEO Meta Title DUI Lawyer Cost: What Affects Attorney Fees?

A DUI charge can affect driving privileges, employment, insurance rates, professional licenses, immigration status, and personal reputation. One of the first questions people ask is how much a DUI lawyer costs. There is no single answer because fees depend on the location, facts of the case, attorney experience, court process, and whether the case resolves quickly or goes to trial.

Some attorneys charge a flat fee for DUI defense. A flat fee may cover defined services such as reviewing evidence, appearing in court, negotiating with the prosecutor, and resolving the case through a plea or dismissal. Other lawyers charge hourly. Some use staged fees, where one amount covers pretrial work and additional fees apply if motions, hearings, or trial are required.

Case complexity is a major factor. A first-time DUI with no accident, no injuries, and no unusual evidence may cost less than a case involving a crash, high test result, refusal, drugs, commercial driver's license, probation violation, child passenger, prior convictions, or felony allegations. The more issues involved, the more time the lawyer may need.

Administrative license hearings can add cost. In many states, a DUI arrest triggers both a criminal case and a separate driver's license process. Deadlines can be short. Ask whether the quoted fee includes license hearings, ignition interlock issues, hardship license requests, or DMV-related appearances.

Evidence review can also affect fees. DUI cases may involve body camera video, dash camera video, breath test maintenance records, blood test results, officer reports, field sobriety test details, dispatch logs, witness statements, and lab procedures. A defense lawyer may examine whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether testing procedures were followed, and whether rights were respected.

Expert witnesses may be needed in some cases. A toxicologist, accident reconstruction expert, medical expert, or breath testing specialist can increase expenses. Not every case needs an expert, but serious or contested cases may benefit from specialized testimony.

Local experience matters. A lawyer familiar with the local court, prosecutors, judges, diversion options, sentencing practices, and treatment programs may be better positioned to explain realistic outcomes. This does not guarantee a result, but it can improve preparation.

When comparing DUI lawyer fees, avoid choosing based on price alone. The cheapest fee may not include important work. The most expensive lawyer is not automatically the best fit either. Ask what is included, what is excluded, and what additional expenses could arise. Get the fee agreement in writing.

Good questions include: How many DUI cases have you handled? Have you handled cases in this court? Is the fee flat or hourly? Does it include license hearings? Does it include trial? Who will appear in court with me? How do you communicate updates? What evidence will you request? What are the possible outcomes? What deadlines apply?

Potential costs beyond attorney fees may include court fines, probation fees, treatment classes, ignition interlock device costs, license reinstatement fees, increased insurance premiums, towing, vehicle storage, and lost work time. The total financial impact can be much higher than the legal fee.

Be careful with any attorney who guarantees dismissal or promises a specific outcome before reviewing the evidence. DUI defense depends on facts, law, local procedure, and proof. A responsible lawyer can explain options and strategy, but no lawyer can ethically guarantee a result.

This article is general information, not legal advice. DUI laws vary by state and can change. If you are facing a charge, speak with a licensed criminal defense attorney quickly because deadlines may affect your license and defense options. The right lawyer should help you understand the process, protect your rights, and make informed decisions.

Structured Settlement Payout vs Lump Sum: What to Know Before You Decide

When you receive compensation from a legal settlement—such as a personal injury claim or lawsuit—you may be given a choice between a structured settlement payout and a lump sum payment. This decision is more than just financial—it can impact your long-term stability, lifestyle, and ability to manage money effectively. Understanding how each option works is essential before making a final choice.

A structured settlement provides payments over time, often in monthly or annual installments, while a lump sum delivers the full settlement amount upfront. Both options have clear advantages and potential drawbacks, depending on your financial goals, spending habits, and future needs. Choosing wisely can help you maximize the value of your compensation and avoid financial stress down the road.

What Is a Structured Settlement?

A structured settlement is a financial arrangement where compensation is paid out in scheduled installments rather than as a single payment. These payments are typically funded through an annuity purchased by the defendant or insurance company.

Structured settlements are commonly used in personal injury cases, workers compensation claims, and wrongful death lawsuits. They are designed to provide long-term financial security, ensuring that recipients have a steady income stream over time.

Payments can be customized to meet specific needs. For example, you might receive smaller monthly payments for daily expenses and larger lump payments at certain intervals for major costs such as education, medical care, or home purchases.

What Is a Lump Sum Payment?

A lump sum payment provides the entire settlement amount at once. This option gives recipients immediate access to all their funds, allowing for greater flexibility in how the money is used.

Many individuals prefer lump sum payments because they can pay off debts, invest in opportunities, or make large purchases right away. However, managing a large amount of money requires discipline and financial planning to avoid overspending or poor investment decisions.

Advantages of Structured Settlements

One of the biggest benefits of structured settlements is financial stability. Receiving regular payments helps ensure that funds are available over time, reducing the risk of running out of money too quickly.

Another advantage is tax efficiency. In many cases, structured settlement payments are tax-free, which can increase the overall value of the compensation.

Structured settlements also provide protection from overspending. Since the money is distributed over time, recipients are less likely to make impulsive financial decisions. This makes it a good option for individuals who prefer predictable income and long-term security.

Advantages of Lump Sum Payments

Lump sum payments offer immediate financial control. Recipients can use the money as they see fit, whether it’s paying off high-interest debt, investing in business opportunities, or purchasing property.

Another key benefit is investment potential. With the full amount available upfront, individuals can invest in stocks, real estate, or other ventures that may generate higher returns over time.

Lump sum payments also provide flexibility. Unlike structured settlements, which follow a fixed schedule, a lump sum allows you to adapt to changing financial needs and priorities.

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing

Choosing between a structured settlement and a lump sum depends on several important factors:

1. Financial Discipline

If you are confident in your ability to manage money and invest wisely, a lump sum may offer greater benefits. However, if you prefer a steady income stream, a structured settlement may be the safer option.

2. Immediate Financial Needs

Consider whether you have urgent expenses such as medical bills, debt, or major purchases. A lump sum can provide the funds needed to address these obligations quickly.

3. Long-Term Financial Goals

Think about your future plans. Structured settlements provide stability, while lump sums offer opportunities for growth through investments.

4. Tax Implications

While structured settlements are often tax-free, lump sum payments may have different tax considerations depending on how the money is used. Consulting a financial advisor can help you understand the impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes is choosing a lump sum without a clear financial plan. Without proper budgeting, recipients may spend the money too quickly and face financial difficulties later.

Another mistake is underestimating future expenses. Medical costs, living expenses, and unexpected emergencies can add up over time. Structured settlements help address this by providing ongoing income.

Failing to seek professional advice is another risk. Financial decisions of this magnitude should be made with guidance from experts who can evaluate your specific situation.

Can You Change Your Decision Later?

In some cases, individuals with structured settlements may choose to sell future payments in exchange for a lump sum. However, this often comes at a discount, meaning you receive less than the total value of your remaining payments.

Because of this, it’s important to carefully consider your decision upfront. Changing your payout structure later may not provide the same financial benefits.

Which Option Is Right for You?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing between a structured settlement and a lump sum. The best option depends on your financial situation, goals, and personal preferences.

If you value stability and want to ensure long-term financial security, a structured settlement may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you are financially disciplined and want greater control over your funds, a lump sum may offer more flexibility and growth potential.

Final Thoughts

Deciding between a structured settlement payout and a lump sum is a major financial decision that should not be taken lightly. Both options have their advantages, and the right choice depends on your individual needs and circumstances. By carefully evaluating your financial goals and seeking professional advice, you can make a decision that supports your long-term success and peace of mind.

Financial experts recommend consulting licensed financial advisors, structured settlement specialists, and certified investment professionals before making settlement decisions. Professional guidance helps maximize value, reduce risks, and ensure long-term financial stability.