Parly speaker snubs MDC MP recall bid

By Chengetai Zvauya

HARARE – Jacob Mudenda, the National Assembly Speaker, yesterday dismissed a request by Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC to recall  18 lawmakers from Parliament.

Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC secretary general, last week wrote to Mudenda informing him of the MDC congress resolution to recall the MPs that crossed floors to Sekai Holland’s MDC Renewal Team.

The MPs include Tendai Biti, the ex-Finance minister, the Madzore brothers Paul and Solomon, Willias Madzimure of Kambuzuma, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (Lobengula) and his wife Roselene Nkomo, Kuwadzana’s Lucia Matibenga, Bekithemba Nyathi, Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo),  Reggie Moyo, former Parastatals minister Gorden Moyo and Evelyn Masaiti, the Harare proportional representation representative.

In the Senate, the MDC wants to recall Sekai Holland (Chizhanje), Chikomo’s Rorana Muchihwa and Watchy Sibanda of  Matebeleland South.

Mwonzora said the recall was sought under Section 129 (k) of the new Constitution and formal notice to withdraw the 18 was with immediate effect.

But Mudenda delivered the ruling after a countermeasure from MDC Renewal Team.

“I have since received a letter dated 12 November 2014 from Tendai Biti, who maintains that he is still the secretary general of the MDC- T party,” the lawyer said.

“…Biti restates his side’s earlier position of 28 April 2014 that neither of the two formations of the MDC-T party has the power to interfere with the membership of  the other,” Mudenda said.

“I wish to advise you that the alleged resolution made at your MDC-T party congress does not constitute a judicial decision. I hereby inform you that I cannot accede to your purported instruction…”

Mudenda’s ruling was also supported by Senate president Edna Madzongwe.

The MDC split early this year as MPs led by Biti passed a vote of no confidence in Tsvangirai, calling on him and other MDC leaders to step down.

Tsvangirai then attempted recall some of legislators who participated in the attempted palace coup from Parliament .

But Mudenda ruled that no MPs should be recalled from Parliament that he he had no power to rule on the matter, referring the factions to the court. Daily News