News / National
Battle-lines drawn between Biti, Chamisa
17 Mar 2014 at 11:33hrs | Views
BATTLINES have been drawn between MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti and organising secretary Nelson Chamisa over the recent suspension of two Manicaland provincial leaders on charges of indiscipline.
Last month, Chamisa suspended Manicaland provincial chairperson Julius Magarangoma and spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya accusing them of promoting divisions in the province.
Muchauraya landed himself in trouble after he denounced national spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora in the media.
But the two threatened to disregard their suspension and on Saturday reportedly stormed a provincial meeting addressed by acting chairperson Shuah Mudiwa claiming they were still in charge.
In a letter dated March 14 addressed to all the party's provincial executive Biti said Chamisa had no locus standi to expel or suspend party organs as that responsibility fell under the secretary-general's ambit.
"Pursuant to my letter of the 5th of March 2014, attached herewith out of an abundance of caution, I write to reiterate the position of the party with reference to the suspension and expulsion of members and the dissolution of party organs," Biti wrote.
"It has come to the attention of the party that some members of the party have received letters of suspension, which letters are devoid of reasons of suspension.
"It has also been brought to our attention that some provincial executives are being purged for unclear and unsubstantiated reasons.
"Our party constitution is very clear in terms of processes of expelling and suspending members and dissolving party organs.
"In terms of Article 6,4,2,1 of the party constitution, only the national council has the powers to dissolve or suspend any party organ. Thus, in the absence of a decision from the national council, such suspension, expulsion or dissolution is null and void."
But Chamisa yesterday said the party's constitution gave him the authority to expel, suspend and dissolve party organs.
He said the decision to suspend Magarangoma and Muchauraya had the backing of the MDC-T standing committee.
Mwonzora also defended Chamisa's suspensions saying he was empowered to do so by the MDC-T constitution.
"In the MDC we do not allow hate language against anybody in public and in such cases, the organising secretary has the right to generate a letter of suspension of any person who is suspected of unconstitutional behaviour," he said.
Mwonzora insisted that Magarangoma and Muchauraya's suspensions would stand.
Last month, Chamisa suspended Manicaland provincial chairperson Julius Magarangoma and spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya accusing them of promoting divisions in the province.
Muchauraya landed himself in trouble after he denounced national spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora in the media.
But the two threatened to disregard their suspension and on Saturday reportedly stormed a provincial meeting addressed by acting chairperson Shuah Mudiwa claiming they were still in charge.
In a letter dated March 14 addressed to all the party's provincial executive Biti said Chamisa had no locus standi to expel or suspend party organs as that responsibility fell under the secretary-general's ambit.
"Pursuant to my letter of the 5th of March 2014, attached herewith out of an abundance of caution, I write to reiterate the position of the party with reference to the suspension and expulsion of members and the dissolution of party organs," Biti wrote.
"It has come to the attention of the party that some members of the party have received letters of suspension, which letters are devoid of reasons of suspension.
"It has also been brought to our attention that some provincial executives are being purged for unclear and unsubstantiated reasons.
"Our party constitution is very clear in terms of processes of expelling and suspending members and dissolving party organs.
"In terms of Article 6,4,2,1 of the party constitution, only the national council has the powers to dissolve or suspend any party organ. Thus, in the absence of a decision from the national council, such suspension, expulsion or dissolution is null and void."
But Chamisa yesterday said the party's constitution gave him the authority to expel, suspend and dissolve party organs.
He said the decision to suspend Magarangoma and Muchauraya had the backing of the MDC-T standing committee.
Mwonzora also defended Chamisa's suspensions saying he was empowered to do so by the MDC-T constitution.
"In the MDC we do not allow hate language against anybody in public and in such cases, the organising secretary has the right to generate a letter of suspension of any person who is suspected of unconstitutional behaviour," he said.
Mwonzora insisted that Magarangoma and Muchauraya's suspensions would stand.
Source - newsday
