News / National
MDC-T MP to appear before the party's disciplinary committee
10 Oct 2013 at 03:45hrs | Views
MDC-T legislator for Dangamvura - Chikanga Mr Arnold Tsunga is expected to appear before the party's disciplinary committee for defying its directive when he stood for elections under the MDC-T ticket.
The party leadership had ordered Mr Tsunga to withdraw his candidature in favour of national executive member, Mr Giles Mutsekwa.
The MDC-T ended up having double candidates at the elections with Mr Tsunga emerging victorious when he polled more than 12 000 votes while Mr Mutsekwa could only manage 3 000.
"Like any other legislator who defied the party's directive, Mr Tsunga is set to appear before a disciplinary committee," said party spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora.
"Until such a time, he continues to assume his normal responsibilities. Councillors were the first to seat before this committee and everyone else is to follow and are to continue with their duties but they are only suspended from party activities."
Before the elections, some MDC-T officials claimed that Mr Tsunga was expelled for defying the party directive. However, after Mr Tsunga triumphed at the elections, the party made a U-turn claiming that Mr Tsunga represented the party's interests.
This was seen in some quarters as a desperate attempt by the party to increase its meagre National Assembly representation after it was heavily defeated by Zanu-PF at the harmonised elections. Zanu-PF won 160 seats of the 210 contested seats in the just ended elections with the MDC-T winning a paltry 49 while one was won by an independent.
"Contrary to the sentiments expressed in some sections of the media, the MDC reiterates that Arnold Tsunga is its Member of Parliament representing the Chikanga- Dangamvura Constituency in Mutare," said the party.
"Tsunga contested the election on the MDC ticket although he was part of the problem of double candidates who sought to represent the party in the 2013 harmonised elections. We, therefore, expect Hon Tsunga to take up his full responsibilities as a Member of Parliament including the rights and responsibilities to attend all party caucuses and key activities at Harvest House.
We reiterate that there are no obstacles to Tsunga in discharging his duties as a member of parliament for the MDC and for working with all MDC Members of Parliament and officials."
The party leadership had ordered Mr Tsunga to withdraw his candidature in favour of national executive member, Mr Giles Mutsekwa.
The MDC-T ended up having double candidates at the elections with Mr Tsunga emerging victorious when he polled more than 12 000 votes while Mr Mutsekwa could only manage 3 000.
"Like any other legislator who defied the party's directive, Mr Tsunga is set to appear before a disciplinary committee," said party spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora.
"Until such a time, he continues to assume his normal responsibilities. Councillors were the first to seat before this committee and everyone else is to follow and are to continue with their duties but they are only suspended from party activities."
Before the elections, some MDC-T officials claimed that Mr Tsunga was expelled for defying the party directive. However, after Mr Tsunga triumphed at the elections, the party made a U-turn claiming that Mr Tsunga represented the party's interests.
This was seen in some quarters as a desperate attempt by the party to increase its meagre National Assembly representation after it was heavily defeated by Zanu-PF at the harmonised elections. Zanu-PF won 160 seats of the 210 contested seats in the just ended elections with the MDC-T winning a paltry 49 while one was won by an independent.
"Contrary to the sentiments expressed in some sections of the media, the MDC reiterates that Arnold Tsunga is its Member of Parliament representing the Chikanga- Dangamvura Constituency in Mutare," said the party.
"Tsunga contested the election on the MDC ticket although he was part of the problem of double candidates who sought to represent the party in the 2013 harmonised elections. We, therefore, expect Hon Tsunga to take up his full responsibilities as a Member of Parliament including the rights and responsibilities to attend all party caucuses and key activities at Harvest House.
We reiterate that there are no obstacles to Tsunga in discharging his duties as a member of parliament for the MDC and for working with all MDC Members of Parliament and officials."
Source - herald
