Renewal MPs file urgent chamber application

HARARE – The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Renewal Team has launched an urgent chamber application to have their parliament dismissal case heard earlier to meet the June 10 election date, Nehanda Radio has learnt.

Last week the Renewal team filed court papers challenging the dismissal of 21 legislators from parliament. In an interview the Renewal Team spokesperson said the urgent application has been filed so that the case can be heard earlier.

“The election and nomination has to be within ninety days so the court has to hear the case before then otherwise it will be academic,” said Mafume.

Mafume said the speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda has no role in determining the legitimate MDC.

“It was wrong for Mudenda to pass such a ruling because he is interfering with the MDC wrangle,” Mafume said.

Mudenda fired the 21 legislators after MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora wrote to parliament demanding their expulsion on the basis that they had formed their own party and had ceased to be members of the MDC-T on whose ticket they were elected.

Even Zanu PF legislator Oliver Mandipaka moved a motion calling for the expulsion of the rebel MPs following Mudenda’s ruling to expel former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and Hurungwe West MP Temba Mliswa who were expelled from Zanu PF.