Tsvangirai dispatches letters of dismissal to ‘rebel MPs’
HARARE – There was drama in parliament after the Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC dispatched letters to the 21 legislators whom the party is recalling after they parted ways and formed the MDC Renewal Team.
Last week the MDC-T renewed its bid to recall the legislators who deserted them to form the MDC Renewal Team following a failed plot to oust Tsvangirai. MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the party had re-launched the recall 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.
“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.”
MDC-T sources said today the legislators were served with letters from the party.
“The letters are not coming from parliament but from the party,” said the source.
“The MDC-T only used the parliament platform as a place where they can distribute letters to individual MPs,” the source said.
In an interview with Nehanda Radio, Mbizo legislator Settlement Chikwinya, who also defected from Tsvangirai, said he did not receive anything from parliament.
“The speaker is away and in any case it is not the MDC-T that has to dismiss people from parliament. We wait for the speaker’s ruling which he has not yet made,” Chikwinya said.
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).
MDC Renewal spokesperson Jacob Mafume also said the ruling to recall MPs has not yet been made.
“As of now we are just waiting for the speaker’s ruling. We do not care what the MDC-T is writing to members of parliament,” he said.
