adminThe apparent delay in making the decision has irked the MDC who have accused Mr Moyo of trying to protect the legislators in violation of the law.
MDC secretary-general Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga recently wrote to Mr Moyo requesting him to declare vacant the seats of Umzingwane legislator and Deputy House of Assembly Speaker Mrs Khumalo, Gwanda North MP Thandeko Mnkandla and Tsholotsho South MP Maxwell Dube.
Other MPs the MDC wanted dismissed are Umzingwane Senator Mr Kembo Dube and Lupane Senator Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo.
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi said they were disappointed at how Mr Moyo seemed reluctant to take action despite the fact that the Constitution did not give him any discretionary powers.
But Mr Moyo said in an interview that he would not be rushed to make a decision without making internal processes.
“I have already referred the matter to counsel to Parliament who gives me legal advice,” he said. “I don’t just rush to make decisions. We have a counsel to Parliament who gives us opinions.”
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The matter, said Mr Moyo, would be dealt with either next week or when Parliament resumes sitting on May 7.
“You can’t write your letter while Parliament is adjourned and when I am not at work and expect me to rush back to work and respond to it the same day,” he said.
“The important thing is that I have started the process, it is work in progress. We are an institution with certain standards of operations. There are legal issues that we have to consider, so the case is receiving active attention.”
Mr Chihwayi said his party was not happy with the slow pace at which Mr Moyo was moving in responding to their petition.
“We expect the Speaker to move with speed in responding to our letter. He, for unknown reasons, is reluctant or not willing to comply with the law. He is somebody who knows the law and the legal process better than anybody else,” he said.
Mr Chihwayi said they had since identified “credible” people to replace the legislators in their constituencies.
“The issue is now water under the bridge, we no longer want to be associated with them. We now have credible candidates to replace them who whoever wants them is free to take them. But we expect them to be packing their bags from Parliament,” he said.
Mr Moyo has in the past expressed his displeasure over the legal provision allowing political parties to recall MPs, saying it was unfair.
Giving a lecture to members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces from the National Defence College who were on a study tour at Parliament two months ago, Mr Moyo said in his view the best way was to consult the respective constituencies.
He was referring to a case in which the MDC had recalled Bulilima East MP Norman Mpofu, Nkayi West MP Abednico Bhebhe and Lupane North legislator Njabuliso Mguni. The trio subsequently lost their seats after crossing the floor to the MDC-T.
Online Reporter