News / National
'MDC-T risks breaching own constitution'
25 Nov 2014 at 07:51hrs | Views
THE MDC-T risk breaching its own constitution by failing to hold its first national council meeting which the charter stipulates should be held within a month of holding a congress.
The MDC-T held its elective congress on November 1 and 2, but three weeks later it has not convened the national council meeting amidst claims that Tsvangirai is struggling to accommodate those who fell by the wayside at the congress.
Among the party heavyweights who fell by the side are former organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, former secretary-general Tapiwa Mashakada and Amos Chibaya.
New party spokesman Obert Gutu yesterday confirmed that the party was yet to hold its first national council meeting due to a number of administrative issues.
"We are yet to hold the meeting as we have to finish receiving nominations of all national council members and national executive members from the provinces," Gutu said, "We hope that the process could be complete by this week."
The national council meeting and national executive meeting are now expected to be held next month.
The development comes amid concerns from other party members that the standing committee was also breaching the constitution by allowing newly elected deputies in the standing committee to attend its meetings despite the congress making an amendment barring the same.
The congress endorsed the amendment that deputy spokesperson, deputy treasurer-general, deputy secretary-general and deputy organising secretary should not attend standing committee meetings.
Gutu confirmed that the deputies had so far attended standing committee meeting as there was no prejudice to anyone.
"The president and other committee members felt there was no harm in them attending and the fact that no one is suffering any prejudice by their attendance," Gutu said.
Meanwhile, Gutu said the party has started its induction courses for its newly elected provincial executives as it seeks to build their capacities.
"We have so far held induction courses for executives from Harare, Chitungwiza and Mashonaland Central provinces," he said.
Gutu added that the party hoped to complete the induction courses within the next fortnight. The induction courses are on party ideology, policies and programmes.
The MDC-T held its elective congress on November 1 and 2, but three weeks later it has not convened the national council meeting amidst claims that Tsvangirai is struggling to accommodate those who fell by the wayside at the congress.
Among the party heavyweights who fell by the side are former organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, former secretary-general Tapiwa Mashakada and Amos Chibaya.
New party spokesman Obert Gutu yesterday confirmed that the party was yet to hold its first national council meeting due to a number of administrative issues.
"We are yet to hold the meeting as we have to finish receiving nominations of all national council members and national executive members from the provinces," Gutu said, "We hope that the process could be complete by this week."
The national council meeting and national executive meeting are now expected to be held next month.
The development comes amid concerns from other party members that the standing committee was also breaching the constitution by allowing newly elected deputies in the standing committee to attend its meetings despite the congress making an amendment barring the same.
The congress endorsed the amendment that deputy spokesperson, deputy treasurer-general, deputy secretary-general and deputy organising secretary should not attend standing committee meetings.
Gutu confirmed that the deputies had so far attended standing committee meeting as there was no prejudice to anyone.
"The president and other committee members felt there was no harm in them attending and the fact that no one is suffering any prejudice by their attendance," Gutu said.
Meanwhile, Gutu said the party has started its induction courses for its newly elected provincial executives as it seeks to build their capacities.
"We have so far held induction courses for executives from Harare, Chitungwiza and Mashonaland Central provinces," he said.
Gutu added that the party hoped to complete the induction courses within the next fortnight. The induction courses are on party ideology, policies and programmes.
Source - newsday
