News / National
'MDC-T seeking politically irrelevant by recalling MPs'
06 Nov 2014 at 18:57hrs | Views
The MDC Renewal Team has dismissed the announcement by the MDC-T to recall legislators in their camp.
The recalling of the 15 members of parliament and 3 senators was announced at a press conference at Harvest House, the MDC-T headquarters, on Thursday by new MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu.
Spokesperson for the MDC Renewal Team, Jacob Mafume, said the issue of whether the legislators can be recalled or not is before the courts, adding that the MDC-T is attempting to seek political relevance.
He said the recalling of the legislators is a mirage meant to hoodwink Zimbabweans that the MDC-T is active, yet it is politically irrelevant.
In May this year when 9 party members of parliament were dismissed on charges of indiscipline, the MDC factions were referred to the courts by the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, who argued that he has no determination of who has powers to recall dissenting members of parliament from the house.
The MDC-T spokesperson Gutu said he has written to the Speaker of Parliament and the President of Senate, Edna Madzongwe informing them of the developments.
The recalled members of parliament are Tendai Biti, Lucia Matibenga, Paul Madzore, Reggie Moyo, Solomon Madzore, Bhekithemba Nyathi, Albert Mhlanga, Moses Manyengavana, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Roselyn Nkomo, Settlement Chikwinya, Judith Muzhavazhe and Gorden Moyo, while Watchy Sibanda, Sekai Holland and Rorana Muchihwa make up the senators on the list.
The two MDC factions are basing their arguments on Section 129 (1)(k) of the constitution of Zimbabwe, which touches on the grounds which a sitting MP can be recalled from parliament.
In April this year, the MDC Renewal Team called on Morgan Tsvangirai to step down as leader of the party after failing to unseat President Robert Mugabe in presidential elections last year, where Zanu PF had a landslide victory.
The recalling of the 15 members of parliament and 3 senators was announced at a press conference at Harvest House, the MDC-T headquarters, on Thursday by new MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu.
Spokesperson for the MDC Renewal Team, Jacob Mafume, said the issue of whether the legislators can be recalled or not is before the courts, adding that the MDC-T is attempting to seek political relevance.
He said the recalling of the legislators is a mirage meant to hoodwink Zimbabweans that the MDC-T is active, yet it is politically irrelevant.
In May this year when 9 party members of parliament were dismissed on charges of indiscipline, the MDC factions were referred to the courts by the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, who argued that he has no determination of who has powers to recall dissenting members of parliament from the house.
The MDC-T spokesperson Gutu said he has written to the Speaker of Parliament and the President of Senate, Edna Madzongwe informing them of the developments.
The recalled members of parliament are Tendai Biti, Lucia Matibenga, Paul Madzore, Reggie Moyo, Solomon Madzore, Bhekithemba Nyathi, Albert Mhlanga, Moses Manyengavana, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Roselyn Nkomo, Settlement Chikwinya, Judith Muzhavazhe and Gorden Moyo, while Watchy Sibanda, Sekai Holland and Rorana Muchihwa make up the senators on the list.
The two MDC factions are basing their arguments on Section 129 (1)(k) of the constitution of Zimbabwe, which touches on the grounds which a sitting MP can be recalled from parliament.
In April this year, the MDC Renewal Team called on Morgan Tsvangirai to step down as leader of the party after failing to unseat President Robert Mugabe in presidential elections last year, where Zanu PF had a landslide victory.
Source - zbc
