MDC-T vow to recall MPs linked to Tendai Biti

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday said his party would go ahead with the recalling of its legislators linked to the breakaway leadership renewal faction led by secretary-general Tendai Biti.

He said his party would deal with the fiasco without going to the courts after the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda referred the troubled opposition party to seek recourse from the courts.

"The MDC-T will soon recall all its MPs who have joined the renewal project and this will be done straight from Harvest House in Harare.

"The party has the powers to recall the legislators, therefore we won't have to do it through the courts," said Mwonzora.

He could not say when this would be done but claimed Mudenda wrote a letter to his party indicating that he could only recall the MPs if we give him the names of the concerned legislators.

Mwonzora said the Biti camp had ceased to be members of the MDC and tried to downplay the impact of the impasse, which analysts say has literally dismantled the once vibrant opposition party.

Renewal team's spokesperson Jacob Mafume scoffed at Mwonzora sentiments.

"Mwonzora is lying to the nation and we're only going to ignore him.

"This issue can only be dealt with by the courts. The clause he's relying on refers to MPs who have crossed the floor.

"He's just trying to blow a concrete building with hot air," said Mafume.

Both factions have been suspending or firing members of opposing camps, with each faction claiming to be in charge of the party.

Tsvangirai expelled Biti, deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and nine other 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).

Mudenda, in his initial response, said the fight between the two MDC-T factions could only be settled in court.

This was after he had received a letter from party vice-president Thokozani Khupe stating that legislators in Biti's camp should be recalled from Parliament, while Biti also sent a letter opposing Khupe's request.

Under Zimbabwe's laws, a party can recall an MP from Parliament for crossing the floor.

The party's Guardian Council, chaired by Sekai Holland, on Friday reprimanded the party's faction leaders Tsvangirai and Biti and conceded that the party's existence was no longer guaranteed.

Holland said the party's warring camps have been acting unconstitutionally by claiming to have suspended each other's leaders.

She also said Tsvangirai's move to recall MPs and Senators from Parliament would create confusion and instability in the party.