Mavhaire, Muchena booted out of Senate

By Veneranda Langa

HARARE – Former Energy minister Dzikamai Mavhaire and ex- Higher Education minister Olivia Muchena have been booted out of the Senate as Zanu PF continues its purges against allies of ousted former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.

The development comes as MDC-T women’s assembly leader Theresa Makone and three other opposition officials bounced back in Parliament after they were sworn in as senators.

Mavhaire and Muchena’s recall from Parliament was announced by President of the Senate Edna Madzongwe.

“I would like to inform the Senate that on June 11, I was notified by Zanu PF that both Calisto Dzikamai Mavhaire [Masvingo Province senator] and Olivia Nyembezi Muchena [Mashonaland East Province senator] have ceased to be members of the Zanu PF party, and therefore, no longer represent the interests of the party in Parliament,” Madzongwe said.

“Consequently, vacancies have arisen in Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces by operation of the law, and the necessary administrative measures will be taken to inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the existence of the vacancies in line with Section 39 (3) of the Electoral Act as amended.”

She said the two had been affected by provisions of Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution which provided that the seat of an MP becomes vacant if the member ceased to belong to Parliament and after a written notification by the political party concerned.

Mavhaire yesterday refused to comment, saying he did not speak to the media. The expulsion of the former Zanu PF Masvingo political godfather and Muchena brought to seven the number of Zanu PF MPs so far fired this year for their alleged links to Mujuru.

Just over a week ago, former Zanu PF Mashonaland West chairman, Ray Kaukonde (Marondera Central), Kudakwashe Bhasikiti (Mwenezi East) and David Butau (Mbire) were recalled from the National Assembly after their recent expulsion from the ruling party.

Former Zanu PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa (Headlands) and ex-Mashonaland West chairperson Temba Mliswa (Hurungwe West) were also fired from Parliament a few months ago for the same charges and their seats have since been filled after recent by-elections.

Makone on Thursday made a comeback to Parliament after she was sworn in as Harare Metropolitan province senator together with Anna Chimanikire. Anthony David Chimhini was also sworn in as Manicaland senator, while Bheki Sibanda is the new senator in Matabeleland South Province.

The seats were left vacant after the expulsion of Sekai Holland, Rorana Muchihwa, Patrick Chitaka and Watchy Sibanda, who together with 17 other MPs, crossed the floor to join the splinter MDC Renewal Team fronted by Tendai Biti. The Standard