Expelled MDC-T legislators turn to courts

EXPELLED MDC Renewal Team legislator Roseline Sipepa Nkomo is bracing for a fight in Tsholotsho North constituency as her party challenges the decision by the Speaker of Parliament to expel 21 legislators from the legislative assembly. Nkomo, who was expelled together with 20 other legislators, said she was prepared to defend her seat in the event of a by-election.

She said she was, however, optimistic that the courts would rule in their favour and avoid by- elections.

Parliament expelled the legislators after the MDC-T wrote a letter disowning them and stating that they were now members of the recently formed United Movement for Democratic Change (UMDC).

The MDC Renewal Team united with Professor Welshman Ncube's MDC to form the new party. "I'm not moved by what has just happened because I know we'll be back in Parliament in no time. The party will decide the way forward in this matter. If it decides that we take part in by-elections I'm more than prepared,' said Nkomo. "Whoever will be contesting in my constituency should make sure that they pull up their socks because they will struggle to attract votes."

In the July 31, 2013 general elections, Professor Jonathan Moyo narrowly lost to Nkomo by 664 votes after garnering 4,163 votes against the expelled MP's 4,827 votes.

On Twitter on Tuesday, Prof Moyo said Tsholotsho North: "was a case of a lost but found constituency."

Some MDC Renewal Team MPS who were also expelled from Parliament claimed this week that Zanu-PF and MDC-T had ganged up against them.

Expelled Kuwadzana East MP Lucia Matibenga said she like Sipepa Nkomo, was ready for the fight.

"As one of the affected MPs and on behalf of my colleagues, we know that Tsvangirai made a decision to gang up with Zanu-PF against us but we're ready for the fight through the courts. We saw it coming and we're relaxed because we have faith that no by-elections will be held," said Matibenga.

Former Lobengula MP Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, maintained that there would be no by-elections.

"We are filing court papers at the Constitutional Court challenging the legality of this decision. We will also oppose the ruling at the High Court so that no nomination dates are set until the court makes a ruling. I know that the courts will rule in our favour and the situation will normalise," said Sipepa Nkomo.

Others, however, said they would not contest in any by-elections.

Former Pumula MP Albert Mhlanga said: "I will not contest in any by-election because Tsvangirai is working with Zanu-PF to boot us out completely so it will be useless to contest in the by-elections.

"If Tsvangirai wants Zanu-PF to continue ruling this country then let it be."

Reggie Moyo, who represented Luveve said he would also not take part in any by-election.

"It's quite surprising that the Speaker found it necessary to dismiss us from Parliament. I wonder if his decision is legal. We're victims of Tsvangirai's dictatorship which forced us to leave him," he said.

Moyo said they were taking the matter to the courts and chances of success were high.

Gladys Mathe, who was a proportional representation MP concurred saying: "We will not contest in any by-election. We know that Tsvangirai wants to share the seats with Zanu-PF. We'll just sit and watch what happens next."

The Speaker's ruling reduces the MDC-T seats in Parliament from 91 to 70, with the opposition now having 32 seats in the National Assembly from 49 and 17 seats in the Senate from 21. The 17 members that were expelled from the National Assembly are Tendai Biti (Harare East), Willias Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Paul Madzore (Glen View), Reggie Moyo (Luveve), Solomon Madzore (Dzivarasekwa), Bekithemba Nyathi (Mpopoma-Pelandaba), Albert Mhlanga (Pumula), Moses Manyengavana (Highfield West), Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (Lobengula), Roseline Nkomo (Tsholotsho North), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Gorden Moyo (Makokoba) and Arnold Tsunga (Chikanga- Dangamvura).Those who got in the National Assembly through proportional representation and were booted out are Evelyn Masaiti, Judith Muzhavazhe and Mathe.Those who lost their seats in the Senate are Sekai Holland (Chizhanje), Rorana Muchihwa (Chokomo), Watchy Sibanda (Matabeleland South) and Patrick Chitaka (Manicaland).