by Innocent Mujeri
The recalling of the four MDC Alliance legislators from Parliament has been hailed across the political divide as a triumph of constitutionalism in the MDC party.
Armed with the powers bestowed on it by the Supreme Court ruling of 31 March, the MDC led by Dr Thokozani Khupe yesterday recalled Prosper Mutseyami, Charlton Hwende, Thabitha Khumalo and Senator Lillian Timveous from Parliament on the grounds that they had ceased to represent the opposition party’s interests.
The Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda announced in Parliament yesterday that the quartet were no longer members of Parliament.
The four legislators were seconded to MDC-Alliance, which was a coalition of opposition parties that contested the 2018 harmonized elections by their party, MDC-T.
The MDC faction led by Chamisa released a statement yesterday blaming ZANU PF for the recall of the four legislators. However, some analysts said Chamisa loyalists should grow up and stop blaming ZANU PF for every misfortune that befalls that party.
Leader of the opposition, Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD), Linda Masarira said the blame game was now a tired political gimmick that should not be entertained by sane people.
Masarira also said the writing was already on the wall following the Supreme Court judgement which ruled that Chamisa was an illegitimate leader. She further said the MDC members in Chamisa’s corner had a problem of underestimating other people’s political strength and they are now getting free political lectures.
“It was obvious that those who didn’t recognize Madam Khupe’s leadership of the MDC will soon face the consequences. These four recalled legislators are paying the price of disrespecting their president Khupe. They thought they are invincible but they are now getting free political lessons,” said Masarira.
Masarira further tipped the MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora to contest and win at the expected MDC Extra Ordinary Congress to be held in three months’ time, dismissing Chamisa’s chances of winning that party’s presidency.
“The MDC people should underestimate Douglas Mwonzora at their own peril. I wish the MDC president in waiting Mwonzora all the best in his political endeavors,” Masarira said.
Sources said that the MDC T had already reached an agreement on a transitory structure where Mwonzora will lead the party, deputized by Dr Khupe and Morgen Komichi with Elias Mudzuri being the national chairperson.
Former MDC Spokesperson, Obert Gutu equated what is happening in MDC to a thriller game which has reached a nerve wrecking stage.
“We're here in the terraces. We're watching this thriller of a game. The game has now gone to the wire. It's a winner takes all. The game has reached another level,” tweeted Gutu yesterday.
Political analyst Nobleman Runyanga said the recalled legislators should stop blaming ZANU PF since it has nothing to do with factional battles currently happening in MDC.
“The MDC faction of Mr. Chamisa should stop blaming ZANU PF for the recall of the four legislators. Chamisa is the one who approached the Supreme Court with an appeal which he lost. The MDC is the one which has approached the Parliament with a request to recall some of its legislators. They must not drag ZANU PF in their muddy internal political conflicts,” said Runyanga.
Zimbabwean actor, playwright and anti ZANU PF activist, Silvanos Mudzvova said it was now evident for all to see that the MDC was not an alternative to the Zimbabwean politics. Mudzvova described the MDC as a party with immature people and said the recalling was long overdue as most of the MDC legislators were not doing much in Parliament.
Last month, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court ruling that declared Chamisa an illegitimate leader of the opposition party after he wrestled power a few hours after the death of the MDC founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The ruling effectively gave the MDC presidency to Thokozani Khupe, who was the constitutionally elected deputy president of the MDC and rendered all appointments and decisions done by Chamisa in that party, null and void.
