D-Day for MDC-T MPs

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda will today rule on MDC-T factional leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai's application to boot out of Parliament nine legislators aligned to his rival, secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti, for refusing to recognise his leadership.

Mr Biti had already written to Mudenda advising him not to entertain any moves from Mr Tsvangirai's camp to expel the legislators, saying only the secretary general can write to the Speaker.

Mr Biti is among the MPs Mr Tsvangirai wants expelled from Parliament for leading a faction calling for a change of guard in the opposition.

Mr Biti's faction has said it has suspended Mr Tsvangirai and his allies from the party.

Mr Tsvangirai - on the other hand - says Mr Biti and his group have been expelled from MDC-T.

In terms of the Constitution, an MP can be recalled if he/she crosses the floor or ceases to be a member of the party on whose ticket he/she ran for Parliament.

Mudenda has said of the contesting claims by the factions:

"I have not yet finished (studying the letters), but I should be making the announcement tomorrow (today) by lunch hour."

While he declined to divulge the contents of Mr Tsvangirai's letter, it is understood that the former prime minister wanted all legislators aligned to Mr Biti recalled.

This was in response to the Biti faction's suspension of Mr Tsvangirai, his deputy Ms Thokozani Khupe, chairperson Mr Lovemore Moyo and his deputy Mr Morgen Komichi, spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora, and organising secretary Mr Nelson Chamisa and his deputy Mr Abednico Bhebhe.

In turn, Mr Tsvangirai expelled Mr Biti, deputy treasurer Mr Mangoma and 10 legislators; namely: Solomon Madzore (Dzivaresekwa), Paul Madzore (Glen View South), Moses Manyengavana (Highfield West),Willas Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (Lobengula), Bekithemba Nyathi (Pelandaba Mpopoma), Evelyn Masaiti-Proportional representation, Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Reggie, Moyo (Luveve) and Watchy Sibanda (Senator, Matabeleland South).

The two warring factions are now embroiled in a fierce battle to control the party's few MPs.

Mr Mwonzora claimed yesterday that seven of the nine MPs who attended Mr Biti's meeting that suspended Mr Tsvangirai and his top five lieutenants had approached them seeking to rejoin their camp.

The Biti faction called the claims "mere hallucinations" by a "confused" camp.

Mr Jacob Mafume, spokesperson of the Biti faction, said a mass exodus had hit the Tsvangirai camp, with more MPs joining them.

Mr Mwonzora refused to divulge the names of those who approached them save to say negotiations were underway with the "prodigal sons".

"I can confirm that we have been approached by seven out of the nine MPs who attended the Mandel meeting," he said. "I can not disclose their names now because I can jeopardise discussions that are still underway."

Mr Mafume responded: "That is Mwonzora's figment of hyper imagination. They have realised that it is not possible to recall MPs from Parliament as they had declared so they are actually chickening out from their statement.

"There will be no apology from the MPs and if anything there are more MPs who are joining us and they will be announcing themselves in due course."

Mr Mafume challenged Mr Mwonzora to divulge the names of the defecting MPs.

MDC-T has 91 MPs.

Meanwhile, Chitungwiza provincial chairman Mr Alexio Musundire has distanced himself from Mr Biti's camp.

"I never discussed with them and I am comfortable with my current position," he said.

Mr Musundire was rumoured to have attended both Mr Biti and Mr Tsvangirai's meetings.