News / National
'More MDC-T MPs set to defect'
15 May 2014 at 09:44hrs | Views
The MDC renewal team says following Speaker of the House of Assembly Jacob Mudenda's decision last week that leadership wrangles within the party can only be resolved through the country's courts, more MPs and councillors from the MDC-T have made their intentions to join the Tendai Biti-led camp.
Addressing a press conference in Harare Wednesday, interim national chairman of the MDC renewal team, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, said the 'Mandel Declaration' still stands as no party leader had the mandate to unilaterally suspend or fire any member of the party.
"The MDC welcomes this and is delighted by the announcement made last Friday by Mudenda that the futile attempts by the suspended officials can only be resolved through the country's courts.
"And following the announcement, more MPs and councillors have indicated their intentions of coming out to join the chorus in the MDC renewal team," said Nkomo.
He said the renewal team was currently engaging with other political parties to form a ‘grand coalition' that will would unseat the Zanu PF government.
"I can confirm that we are negotiating with other political party leaders such as Dumiso Dabengwa of Zapu, Welshman Ncube of MDC, Simba Makoni of Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, Lovemore Madhuku of NCA and other political establishments. Pleniminary negotiations have begun and hopefully by next week, we will be looking on paperwork for the framework," said Nkomo.
Nkomo revealed they were prepared to work with any other political establishment other than MDC – T which he labelled a "violent party".
"We are democrats…we will never join forces with Tsvangirai whose party is violent. We work with other democrats that are non violent and respect other people's views," he said.
Speaking at the same press briefing, MDC-T deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma said last week the renewal team had a fruitful meeting with African diplomats in Harare where they clarified the legal implications of the ongoing leadership impasse.
"African diplomats wanted clarification on a number of issues, particularly the current standoff. We are grateful that they responded well to our clarifications on the fact that we are a pan-African group that follows pan-African values," said Mangoma.
Addressing a press conference in Harare Wednesday, interim national chairman of the MDC renewal team, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, said the 'Mandel Declaration' still stands as no party leader had the mandate to unilaterally suspend or fire any member of the party.
"The MDC welcomes this and is delighted by the announcement made last Friday by Mudenda that the futile attempts by the suspended officials can only be resolved through the country's courts.
"And following the announcement, more MPs and councillors have indicated their intentions of coming out to join the chorus in the MDC renewal team," said Nkomo.
He said the renewal team was currently engaging with other political parties to form a ‘grand coalition' that will would unseat the Zanu PF government.
Nkomo revealed they were prepared to work with any other political establishment other than MDC – T which he labelled a "violent party".
"We are democrats…we will never join forces with Tsvangirai whose party is violent. We work with other democrats that are non violent and respect other people's views," he said.
Speaking at the same press briefing, MDC-T deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma said last week the renewal team had a fruitful meeting with African diplomats in Harare where they clarified the legal implications of the ongoing leadership impasse.
"African diplomats wanted clarification on a number of issues, particularly the current standoff. We are grateful that they responded well to our clarifications on the fact that we are a pan-African group that follows pan-African values," said Mangoma.
Source - Zim Mail
