MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has vowed to fight back the illegal recall of his legislators from parliament by his rivalry MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe whom he overwhelmingly defeated in the last 2018 Presidential elections.
Writing on his micro-blog Chamisa said: “Will fight criminal connivance and corruption by Mudenda and President Emmerson Mnangagwa. MDC ALLIANCE MPs can’t be forced to belong to the MDC-T they defeated in 2018…” he tweeted
On Tuesday the speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda announced the expulsion of the nine legislators from the August House after the re-instated MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said they had ceased to represent the party’s interests in Parliament.
Among the recalled legislators are Amos Chibaya (Mkoba MP), Happymore Chidziva (Highfield), Murisi Zvidzai (Harare Central); Proportional Representative MPs Basilia Majaya, Mutarairwa Mugido, Virginia Muradzikwa, Anna Muyambo, Francesica Ncube and Nomathemba Ndlovu.
Mudenda said their seats were now vacant.
However, on Thursday pledging their loyalty to the Alliance ticket, Chamisa’s legislators snubbed a meeting which was scheduled by Khupe with less than 20 turning up at their party headquarters, Morgan Tsvangirai House.
By recalling 13 legislators, Khupe is trying to stamp her authority on Chamisa’s MPs, but most of them still regard Chamisa as their bona-fide leader.
On their party position, MDC-T deputy spokesman Khaliphani Phugeni told reporters that 30 plus legislators had attended the parliamentary caucus, but refused to name them.
“The caucus was well-attended, we had 30 plus MPs here, I don’t have their names but I will share the videos with you, it was amazing,” Phugeni said.
In an interview with HSTV, MDC Alliance presidential secretary Jameson Timba said the alliance MPs have remained loyal to their conscience and snubbed the Khupe meeting.
“They are deployees of the party and struggle, they realised the issues that are facing Zimbabwe will require true representatives and, therefore, will not follow an appendage of Zanu PF.” he said
