By Chiedza Muswe
MDC-A’s decision to disengage from Parliament has seen citizens commenting after MDC A Vice Chairman and Zengeza West National Assembly member Job Sikhala pronounced that MDC-A MPs have suspended participation in parliament, pending consultations with the electorate, with a view to their total withdrawal from parliament.
Following Sikhala’s announcement, the MDC-A yesterday held what they called a consultative meeting with its Parliamentary Caucus at Harvest House. 30 of the members who agreed to disengage from Parliament included Harare MPs Tendai Biti, Job Sikhala, Happymore Chidziva, Murisi Zwizwai and Joana Mamombe, just to mention a few.
The National Assembly members highlighted that they were behind Chamisa and that they will not surrender. They also agreed to disengage from Parliament pending conclusion of on-going consultation processes. They reconfirmed their continued suspension of all parliamentary activities as they go back to their Constituencies for consultation.
Citizens expressed gratitude for their exit adding that they did not add any value in Parliament instead they caused chaos and disturbed Parliament business.
Acting Secretary for Youth Affairs Tendai Chirau said, “What difference does it make? If the truth be told the MDC legislators are not adding any value to the national discourse. They are just a bunch of noise makers.” Muriel Mundoza also concurred with Chirau saying, “Your presence was a non-effect in Parliament you can't change any law. It just benefited your bellies and your families at the expense of tax-payers’ money. Regai muende.”
Msizi Moyo twitted saying, “Mwonzora and Khupe have shaken things up in the MDC, now people are off their butts and even talking the language of action. MDC MPs had become fat arrogant and lazy pigs who were beginning to dance to the politics of entitlement. Now that their entitlement is under threat maybe.
Some netizens felt like the MDC MPs exit from parliament will be good for Parliament, with Charity Maodza saying, “The withdrawal of MDC MPs from Parliament is inconsequential. ZANU PF has enough legislators to form a quorum in Parliament. This is a good development for the country as the MDC legislators were barbaric and disruptive. Now Parliament will focus on development!”
Speaking to this publication on conditions of anonymity, one Political Administration student at the University of Zimbabwe said the MDC party was just selfish and childish in everything they do.
“Why are they thinking of going back to their constituencies when they have already made a decision. Maybe they should have approached the people first before deciding what they have already decided. Honestly speaking this party has been playing with people’s minds for far too long. People deserve better. No country can be led by people who cannot take things seriously. Ngavabude muParliament if that’s what they have decided, because to them Parliament was a circus,” he said.
The Supreme Court ruled that the MDC should convene its Extraordinary Congress for purposes of electing a substantive president to replace the late Morgan Tsvangirai, within a maximum of 3 months. It reinstated the leadership of the MDC as elected at its 4th Congress in 2014 to run the affairs of the party pending the holding of the Extraordinary Congress.
