12 councillors fired from MDC-T

The MDC-T national executive met yesterday and resolved to expel 12 councillors from various cities for engaging in corruption. The party's deputy secretary-general, Mr Tapiwa Mashakada, said this while addressing journalists soon after the meeting yesterday.

"We examined the conduct of our councillors and we have found that 12 of our councillors face immediate expulsion from our party and we would announce the names once we have written to them on the decision," he said.

The affected councillors are drawn from Harare, Gweru, Kwekwe and Zvishavane. Mr Mashakada said 13 other councillors from various urban and rural councils would be reprimanded for engaging in activities that bring the party into disrepute.

Meanwhile, MDC-T national executive yesterday reaffirmed its position of rejecting offers made by Zanu-PF to amend the draft Constitution.

Speaking at the same Press conference, the party's spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, accused Zanu-PF of originating a completely new draft instead of amendments.

"The major issue that was discussed was the new Constitution and the stance of the national executive was that they would not accept a new draft to be brought to the table," said Mr Mwonzora. "We had been led to believe that Zanu-PF had a few proposals but what has happened is that they have produced a new document and we cannot accept that."

Mr Mwonzora said his party's national executive had urged all parties to take the Copac draft to the second all stakeholders' conference for consideration. In its proposals Zanu-PF wants the new constitution to outlaw homosexuality and dual citizenship while compelling government bodies and commissions to defend and promote the values of the liberation struggle in their day to day activities.

Zanu-PF also wants the removal of a clause creating a separate prosecuting authority to be removed and maintain the status quo where that responsibility lies in the hands of the Attorney-General, among other issues.

Zanu-PF's Politburo is expected to meet today to discuss the way forward after its partners resolved that they would not accept any of its proposed amendments. The party's spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said his party would make its decision after the Politburo meeting tomorrow.

"I cannot make any comment right now but will do so after tomorrow's (today) meeting where the way forward will be discussed," he said.