MDC-T relaunches bid to recall Renewal MPs

By Brown Moyo

HARARE – Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has re-launched its bid to recall the legislators who deserted them to form the MDC Renewal Team following a failed plot to oust the founding president.

MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora posted on his Facebook wall that the party has re-launched its bid.

“Today the MDC T has proceeded to recall those members of Parliament who have left the party to form their own party called the MDC Renewal a.k.a UMDC,” wrote Mwonzora.

“Although the Speaker initially refused our notice to withdraw these MPs last year we have re-launched our recall bid after the Speaker acceded to the Zanu PF demand to expel its rebel MP’s. We refuse to be discriminated against. We say no to the selective application of the law.”

“Those MPs can seek new mandate under their political party. If the Speaker does not treat us fairly we will not take that decision lying down. In fairness these MPs can no longer claim to be representing our MDC members because they are no longer MDC.  It’s now time to take Save to State House. Victory is certain.”

The bid has been re-launched following Zanu PF’s successful application to the speaker to expel former Headlands and Hurungwe West legislators, Didymus Mutasa and Temba Mliswa.

The recall bid also comes on the backdrop of the calls by Zanu PF’s Oliver Mandipaka who has moved a motion in Parliament that the Speaker must be fair when he is treating matters of same substance. He called upon the Speaker to declare vacant seats held by the Renewal MPs.

Last week Mutasa and Mliswa were expelled from parliament after their party, Zanu PF fired them.

In his announcement Mudenda said he considered Zanu PF’s letter which called for the recall of the two MPs who were expelled from the party two weeks ago.

“I took into consideration the party’s request to recall the legislators after they were expelled from the party. I also looked into the letter written by honourable Mutasa explaining that Zanu PF cannot recall him from the parliament because processes used to expel him were unconstitutional, however Mutasa’s letter had no merit,” Mudenda said.

“Vacancies have arisen in Headlands and Hurungwe West by operation of law.”

Tsvangirai is recalling former secretary general Tendai Biti (Harare East Constituency), Willias Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Paul Madzore (Glen View South), Solomon Madzore (Dzivarasekwa), Lucia Matibenga (Kuwadzana West), Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (Lobengula), Reggie Moyo (Luveve) and Evelyn Masaiti.

Also being recalled are Bekithemba Nyathi (Mpopoma/Pelandaba), Moses Manyengavana (Highfield West), Albert Mhlanga (Pumula), Roseline Nkomo (Tsholotsho North), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Judith Muzhavazhe and Gorden Moyo (Makokoba).

The MDC-T also recalled three senators namely Sekai Holland (Chizhanje), Rorana Muchihwa (Chikomo) and Watchy Sibanda (Matabelaland South).