by Christopher Makaza
Morgan Komichi who reverted to being the MDC National Chairman following the Supreme Court ruling that Nelson Chamisa was an illegitimate MDC leader has reinstated all MDC members and staff who were summary dismissed under the latter’s leadership since 15 February 2018.
The Supreme Court ruling has rendered Chamisa was an illegitimate leader of the opposition party and that Thokozani Khupe was the rightful leader of the party until a special congress is convened in 3 months’ time.
Embracing the ruling, Komichi also ordered Chamisa`s administration to hand over all assets of the Party to Douglas Mwonzora, who is now the Secretary General and all financial records to the Treasurer General’s office. Komichi has also reinstated all party members dismissed by Chamisa since he assumed office in February of 2018.
“All suspensions and dismissals of any party member by the current leadership between February 2018 and today are null and void. The affected members are hereby fully reinstated to their positions in the party.
“The suspensions, dismissals and recalls of the Mayors of Chegutu, Masvingo and Victoria Falls are hereby set aside and that their Worships are reinstated thus giving effect to the true wishes of the electorate,” said Komichi.
Komichi went on to say that the removal of all ward Executive Committees and District Executive Committees is set aside. He said all the 1958 ward executive committees and all the 210 district executive committees were hereby reinstated and shall forthwith convene and do party work.
Komichi further highlighted that all the actions of Chamisa`s leadership including the holding of the Gweru Congress while well aware of the present case were nullified.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court, which is the highest Court of the land pronounced itself on the legitimacy dispute that has long been affecting MDC.
This follows the challenge by MDC Gokwe District Organizing Secretary Elias Mashavira who felt that the Party constitution had not been followed in the appointment of certain leaders including Chamisa.
The late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai appointed Chamisa as a joint vice-president of his faction of the Movement for Democratic Change in 2016, along with Elias Mudzuri and Thokozani Khupe. The decision to appoint three vice-presidents was controversial at the time, some party stalwarts said that it violated party procedure, while analysts suggested the move was designed as a way for Tsvangirai to avoid picking a successor.
Political analysts say the new development may give birth to new coalition where disgruntled MDC members sacked by Chamisa will coalesce in support of his ouster.
