Tsvangirai suspension 'above board'

There are English terms that Zimbabweans have been bombarded with lately, as the two MDC-T factions battle for control of the party - terms like 'bogus meetings', 'resolutions taken are illegal', the suspension of so and so is a legal nullity' and so on and so forth.

Jacob Mafume of the MDC-Team, the latest splinter group, says the suspension of Tsvangirai and company was above board.

Meanwhile, Douglas Mwonzora of the Tsvangirai faction quoted the party's constitution, saying what the other party did was wrong and the meetings they held were bogus.

But at law who pronounces which group is legal or legitimate? A law expert, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, says the MDC-T factions should take their case to the courts which should decide who is wrong and who is right.

There is talk of recalling MDC-T Members of Parliament by the Tsvangirai faction which claims the members are in Parliament on an MDC-Tsvangirai ticket.

But the Biti faction also claims it will write to the Speaker of the National Assembly informing him that they are the legitimate group and the Speaker should dismiss any move to declare their constituencies vacant.

Professor Madhuku again said the courts will have to rule on this.

The courts, the lawyers and the two MDC-T factions will be scenes to watch and listen to as the battle for survival of the beleaguered party continues.