Thokozani Khupe led minority party MDC-T received $7.5 million on Friday from the government despite the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance having obtained a provisional court order barring the Zimbabwean government from disbursing the funds to MDC-T according to the Political Parties Finance Act.
The government believes Khupe is the legitimate leader of the MDC Alliance and is entitled to the $7,4 million despite her having lost the 2018 elections to the same party he now claims to lead.
Every political party represented in parliament is entitled to receive the funds as required by the Political Parties Finances Act Chapter 2:11.
In the provisional order, High Court judge Justice Munangati Manongwa instructed the respondents Justice Minister Ziyambi, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda – have 10 days to respond to this ruling.
Read More: High Court orders Ministry of Justice to pay MDC Alliance $7,5 million
In the interim order, Justice Manongwa said, “The 1st and 2nd respondents be and are hereby interdicted, barred from disbursing the sum of $7,492.500 due to the applicant in terms of the Political Parties (Finance) Act Chapter 2:11 in the sum of $7,492,500.”
The MDC Alliance has started its own campaign to raise funds for the party from its supporters. They launched the MDC Alliance website that enables members to subscribe online.
Read More: MDC Alliance declared a legit political party by High Court
The MDC Alliance is facing a vicious fight from Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T that is believed to be backed by the Zanu PF government. The Supreme court gave a controversial ruling on the 30th of March ordering the MDC formations to return to its 2014 structures. The controversial ruling saw MDC-T recalling legislators and Councillors from Zimbabwe’s largest opposition MDC Alliance. The minority party was reportedly assisted by the military and the police to take over the MDC Alliance headquarters – Harvest House and have since enjoyed many other government benefits. The MDC-T is still to hold their extraordinary congress as instructed by the Supreme Court.