Hlalo replaced by Maphungula

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE MDC-T has moved swiftly to replace fired Bulawayo senator Matson Hlalo with the party’s national executive member Victor Maphungula.

Hlalo’s fate was sealed this week when the High Court dismissed his appeal  against his ejection from the Senate following his expulsion from the MDC-T.

The MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairman Gift Banda yesterday said the party had already informed the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of Hlalo’s replacement.

“We’ve recommended national executive member Victor Maphungula to take over as the Senator for Bulawayo.

This communication has been sent to ZEC who have already advertised regarding the matter,” Banda said.

He said it was pointless for Hlalo to take the party to court as it was guided by its own constitution.

“There was no way a judge was going to take his side.

In political parties    and   voluntary organisations,if someone thinks he differs with them ideologically, its best for him to leave not to take the party to court,” he said.

Hlalo was expelled from the MDC-T after he defied the party’s order not to take the opposition party to court.

The expelled former senator unsuccessfully tried to stop his recall from parliament using the courts.

His case was dismissed by Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo who ruled that Hlalo’s application lacked merit as senate president Edna Madzongwe, acted inaccordance with section 159 of the Constitution.

“It’s my considered view that what’s happening within the MDC-T isn’t the business of the president of the Senate who    should at all the time act in accordance with the Constitution.

It’s by operation of law that applicant’s seat is now vacant,” said Justice Moyo.