Parly to intervene in MDC feud only when invited

“They haven’t communicated their positions to me so I wouldn’t want to be seen to be instigating them to take any actions,” he said.

“I will only be able to comment and explain the procedure when I am confronted with a request. If a party says it is withdrawing its support for so and so, then I will be able to explain the procedures,” he said.

The feud between the two escalated on Monday when Prof Mutambara wrote Mr Moyo and Senate President Edna Madzongwe letters telling them Prof Ncube had no authority to expel MDC legislators.

This followed the announcement by the Prof Ncube-led MDC faction on Monday that it had fired eight legislators and 49 councillors for indiscipline and crossing the floor to the MDC-T.

Prof Mutambara advised Parliament’s presiding officers to disregard attempts by the Prof Ncube-led MDC to have the legislators fired from Parliament.

The two are embroiled in a wrangle for leadership of the MDC and the matter is before the Supreme Court, which is still to make a determination. It is understood that some of the axed councillors openly declared that they had defected to the MDC-T.

Section 41 of the Constitution is the one that is used to axe legislators from Parliament if they defected to another party.

The secretary general of a political party is required to write to the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Senate President informing them that the legislators no longer represent their party’s interest. However, the Supreme Court is yet to make a determination of whom between Prof Mutambara and Prof Ncube is the legitimate leader.

Prof Ncube also expelled 49 councillors but the Urban Councils Act does not provide for the sacking of councillors if they are fired from their parties.

MDC-T last year fired the entire Chitungwiza council and the mayor on allegations of corruption but they have remained councillors.

It is the same case with the 12 councillors the party recently expelled over corruption allegations, they have remained at work because the law does not provide for their sacking.