Speaker of Parliament declares MDC Renewal MP’s seats vacant

HARARE – The Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC-T has successfully recalled 21 legislators from parliament after they became part of the MDC Renewal Team which called for the leader to step down following the party’s controversial loss to Zanu PF in the July 31, 2013 elections.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has ruled that the 21 MPs seats are declared vacant following their fall-out with Tsvangirai. In an interview the MDC Renewal Team secretary general Tendai Biti said his team knew the outcome.

“We are not even surprised that we have been recalled because from the onset we knew Tsvangirai was working with Zanu PF to derail the democratic transition of this country,” Biti said.

“What has just happened (being recalled from parliament) strengthens our resolve to achieve the democratic change this country deserves,” he said.

A fortnight ago Zanu PF’s Oliver Mandipaka 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 after he fired Headlands and Hurungwe West legislators, Didymus Mutasa and Temba Mliswa respectively.

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

MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora last week said the MPs should seek a new mandate after launching the recall bid.

“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.”

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, Arnold Tsunga (Mutare) and Gorden Moyo (Makokoba).

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

MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said the recall of the legislators is a victory for the party.

“The 21 former MPs were no longer members of the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai. As such, they had to be recalled from Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“If we are to succesfully reconstruct Zimbabwe, it is essential that every citizen of the country respects and also uphold all the provisions of our national Constitution. As the MDC, we feel vindicated in our argument that there was absolutely no sound constitutional basis upon which the 21 rebel MPs continued to sit in Parliament purportedly on an MDC ticket when, in fact, they had ceased being members of our party. Justice has been done and of course, we are happy.”