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Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai cannot recall legislators calling for his ouster from Parliament through the august House, the speaker of the National Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda has said.Mudenda yesterday said the fight between the two MDC-T factions could only be settled in court.
Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora immediately responded saying Tsvangirai’s faction would proceed with recalling the legislators in court.
Mwonzora said: “We will proceed through the courts because the Speaker ruled in favour of Biti. The fact that he ruled in favour of Biti means the door is open for us to take further steps. He will then deal with the recalls afterwards,” he said.
MDC-T has been divided into two factions as the infighting in the opposition party intensifies. The “renewal group” led by secretary-general Tendai Biti and the other group made up of party leader Tsvangirai’s loyalists are both claiming legitimacy.
Both factions have been suspending or firing members of opposing camps, with each faction claiming to be in charge of the party.
Cde Mudenda received a letter last week from party vice-president Thokozani Khupe stating that legislators in Biti’s camp should be recalled from parliament.
Biti sent a letter opposing Khupe’s request.
Cde Mudenda said both Khupe and Biti had not raised any legal issues that required him or the President of the Senate Cde Edna Madzongwe to determine or rule on whether or not to act, pursuant to the provisions of section 129 (1) (K) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“Neither the president of the Senate nor the Honourable Speaker of Parliament has any authority and role to play in the internal disciplinary actions, disputes or differences within political parties.
“These matters maybe appropriately dealt with by a competent court,” said Cde Mudenda.
He dismissed reports by the media that he promised to make a ruling over the issue and said he only had to make a decision.
“The media has been relentlessly misquoting the Speaker that he promised to make a ruling, even going to the extent of giving a deadline of Thursday, May 8, 2014. No such ruling arises but only a decision,” he said.
He added: “As the Honourable Speaker I have studied the contents of the two similar letters addressed to me and I have concluded that the letters contain no legal issues that require the Speaker to take any actions.”
Khupe, on behalf of Tsvangirai had requested the withdrawal of nine legislators aligned to the renewal team from Parliament. Tsvangirai is accusing the legislators of refusing to recognise his leadership.
Biti is among the MPs Tsvangirai wants expelled from Parliament for leading a faction calling for leadership renewal.
Tsvangirai expelled Biti, deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and nine other legislators; namely: Solomon Madzore (Dzivaresekwa), Paul Madzore (Glen View South), Moses Manyengavana (Highfield West),Willas Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (Lobengula), Bekithemba Nyathi (Pelandaba Mpopoma), Evelyn Masaiti (Proportional representation), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Reggie Moyo (Luveve) and Watchy Sibanda (Senator, Matabeleland South).
Biti’s faction has said it has suspended Tsvangirai and his acolytes from the party. Tsvangirai, on the other hand, says Biti and his cohorts have been expelled from MDC-T. Under Zimbabwe’s laws a party can recall an MP from Parliament for crossing the floor.
Online Reporter