MDC-T mayor appeals against expulsion

MUTARE mayor Tatenda Nhamarare has appealed against his recent expulsion from the MDC-T saying the party misdirected itself when it decided to fire him.

Nhamarare was fired from the party alongside three other Mutare councillors namely Farai Bhiza, Richard Mupfura and Pamela Mutari for disobeying the party directive during mayoral elections held in September last year.

The party had seconded Thomas Nyamupangedengu as its mayoral candidate with Kudakwashe Chisango as his deputy, but the four allegedly connived with Zanu PF councillors to vote Nhamarare as mayor and Collen Mukwada of Zanu PF as deputy mayor.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Nhamarare said he was optimistic that his appeal would be upheld by the MDC-T standing committee.

Through his lawyer Chris Ndlovu, Nhamarare said: "The august national council erred and misdirected itself both on fact and law when it decided to expel the appellant from the party.

"The decision to expel the appellant from the party was not supported by facts and was made after a flawed disciplinary process that failed to follow due process and rules and tenants of natural justice.

"Whilst the ad-hoc committee that was established to look into the allegations raised against the appellant properly and judiciously gave the appellant an opportunity to be heard and cross examine the witnesses, that fundamental and constitutionally-guaranteed right was not extended to the appellant by either the national executive and the national council.

"The national council met and deliberated on the matter and came to its conclusions or decisions without affording the appellant a right to be heard."

Nhamarare pleaded that the decision to expel him from the party be set aside and be substituted by an order acquitting him of all charges or alternatively by the imposition of a less severe penalty.