MDC-T divisions manifest in court

Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
MDC-T leadership squabbles manifested themselves at the Electoral Court on Tuesday in a case where two expelled councillors are challenging a Government directive to Redcliff municipality to relieve them of their duties because they were fired from their party.
Ms Euphrasia Duro and Mr Takura Chikwiri were among 10 councillors, including the Mayor of Mutare, who were expelled from MDC-T after voting against party directives during mayoral elections last year.

It emerged on Tuesday before Justice Chinembiri Bhunu that while MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti wrote to Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo notifying him that Ms Duro was no longer a member of the party, MDC-T national chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo wrote to the said councillor stating that she was still a member. Mr Moyo also said she would remain councillor for Ward 2 in Redcliff Municipality given that the disciplinary hearing was still pending.

The duo’s lawyer, Mr Gift Nyandoro, said this reflected badly on MDC-T’s leadership.
“We are seized with a political contradiction in one political institution,” said Mr Nyandoro to The Herald.

“The public wants to know the truth on who is standing where. It seems regrettably the leadership is echoing different views regarding one matter. That alone leaves us confused regarding the single and united standing of MDC-T as a political institution.”

In their application, Ms Duro and Mr Chikwiri are seeking to set aside Dr Chombo’s directive to the Municipality of Redcliff that the two should be stopped from conducting council business since their party expelled them, pending finalisation of the disciplinary hearing.
Mr Nyandoro sought postponement of the case to tomorrow after Mr Biti served him with a notice of opposition a few minutes before the hearing.

He asked the judge to give him sufficient time to peruse the voluminous document before arguing the matter.
Mr Biti refused to talk to the Press.

Ms Duro and Chikwiri were fired from the party along with Mutare Mayor Tatenda Nhemarare and councillors Pamela Mutasa, Richard Bhiza, Farai Mupfura and Onward Majaji (Redcliff) for voting with Zanu-PF in mayoral elections.