MDC-T applauds the recalling of renegade MPs

The MDC-T applauds the decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate to uphold the provisions of Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and allow the recalling of 21 Members of Parliament who deserted the party that sponsored them to get elected into the august House. The 21 former MPs deserted the MDC-T and joined a rival political party that now calls itself the UMDC-T. Their rebellious move meant that they were no longer representatives of the MDC-T party that got them elected into Parliament.

The decision to recall the rebel 21 MPs is also in keeping with one of the key resolutions of the MDC-T 4th national congress that was held at the City Sports Centre in Harare from October 31, 2014 to November 2, 2014. Congress unanimously resolved that these renegade MPs be recalled from Parliament since they were no longer representing the interests of the party and the people who voted them into office.

It is beyond reasonable disputation that the renegade MPs'  continued stay in Parliament purporting to be representing the MDC-T  was not only hypocritical but  wholly self - serving and completely disrespectful  and highly contemptuous of the thousands of MDC-T supporters  who voted them into Parliament on July 31,2013.

It is beyond debate that the 21 renegade MPs were voted into Parliament on an MDC-T ticket but they later joined another political party without the mandate of the people who put them into office.  The 21 rebels selfishly betrayed the people who voted them into office. These political renegades should have had the common decency to consult the people who elected them into Parliament  before making  the decision to cross over to form another political party.

It does not need rocket science  to appreciate the simple social and political rules of engagement which dictate that if you belong to a political party; the moment you leave that particular political party you  would have abandoned the political party's supporters as well.

The latest historic development now presents an opportunity for the 21 rebel MPs to seek the electorate's mandate in order for them to return to Parliament as members of their new political party or as independent candidates. These political renegades should not be permitted to blow hot and cold. Indeed, they should not be allowed to have their cake and eat it.