via Moyo welcomes Tsvangirai ‘gift’- NewZimbabwe 17 March 2015
INFORMATION minister Jonathan Moyo has vowed to reclaim Tsholotsho North constituency for the ruling Zanu PF party in forthcoming by-elections.
Moyo lost the seat in the 2013 elections to Roseline Nkomo, then of the opposition MDC-T, and failed with subsequent efforts to have the result over-turned in court.
But Nkomo has now been expelled from Parliament, thanks to a decision by the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T to have her recalled for crossing the floor.
Curiously, Tsvangirai has vowed not to contest any new elections, meaning the constituency will most likely return to Moyo and Zanu PF.
Nkomo was one of the MPs who ditched the MDC-T to form the MDC Renewal Team after Tsvangirai refused to step down in bitter recriminations that followed the opposition party’s 2013 election disaster.
The former premier however, successfully petitioned Parliament to have all the 17 rebel legislators expelled from Parliament.
Following the decision, Zanu PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere called Moyo to arms saying in Twitter: “Jonso bring back our constituency. Bring it back home!”
The information minister obliged, telling Kasukuwere that: “Copied Cde National Commissar. This is a case of a lost but found constituency.”
All the MDC formations have ruled out participating in new lections until reforms are implemented to ensure credible polling.
Former education minister David Coltart lamented Tsvangirai’s move to recall the legislators.
He said: “Given that the MDC-T say they’re boycotting by-elections, are they happy to hand these seats over to Zanu PF?
“One thing is crystal clear from Twitter – both Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere issued deliriously happy tweets about the move. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.”
Welshman Ncube, leader of Coltart’s MDC formation, confirmed that the party would not contest the by-elections.
“We’ll not contest. We’ve not contested in a single by-election since the 2013 elections, whether for council or Parliament and we’ve said it several times that we don’t want to take part in any by election,” he said.
COMMENTS
so Morgan, please explain why you did this?
Zimboz are very good at missing the point when it suits them (and Owen is just one of the many people good at that). Unfortunately, it doesn’t help anyone to pretend otherwise with regard to a very straightforward matter.
Suffice to say, unfortunately for Owen & like minded people, Tsvangi has nothing to explain. It’s simply constitutionalism at work – its there in black & white (in the constitution): one leaves the party & whose banner they were elected (for whatever reason) they automatically forfeit the parly or senate seat. There is nothing to be explained to anyone. If anything, Biti & co must explain to the nation what game they are playing with zanu pf & Mudenda, that prompted zanu-Mudenda to float the constitution in favour of these guyz up until they couldn’t protect them anymore due to now famous Mliswa-Mutasa case.
Kuipa kuipa zvaro haridyivo chakafa choga. Yes, Tsvangi has his own faults but on this one its thumbs up.
Why would one want Biti & co to be exceptions
Pliz do not try to defend the indefensible Tsvangirayi has sold out to ZANU PF period. The issue is if MDC T had not written to parliament to recall the said MP’s no one was going to expel them. The speaker of parliament does not have such powers he only acts when the aggrieved party makes a request. Correct me if I am wrong otherwise Tsvangirayi is not a fool, he clearly knew what he was doing and also that all other parties including his own would not contest in the by-elections. It does not need a rocket scientist to analyse that. Leocardia and ZANU PF’s Politburo member’s daughter who is his wife speaks volumes of his apparent relationship with ZANU PF and what of the donated house he is living in. Mugabe of all the people wouLd not have allowed him to remain in that house, this suggests that there coud be a truce thaT we the ordinary people are not privy to. Tichauraiswa nemhunhu uyu ticfunga kuti he is on our side, pafungeyi!!!
Yes, according to the constitution the concerned party has to write to the Speaker which MDC-T did. In my humble opinion that was the correct and simple decision. These MPs were no longer representing MDC-T interests in Parliament and to the constituencies who voted these people into Parliament they betrayed them.
Whether these seats end up in Zanu PF hands or not is neither here nor there. There was no benefit having these MPs in Parliament to MDC-T and its supporters. In the present Parliament Zanu PF has such a huge majority that these 21 MPs wouldn’t make much of a difference anyway.
Also these MPs can contest the coming by-elections and see if they can reclaim them on an UMDC ticket.
There is nothing to blame MDC-T for here. You can blame MDC-T for other things but clearly not on this one.
Can somebody @owen, @kalulu please explain what benefit anybody was benefiting having these MPs in Parliament and yet at every turn insulting MDC-T officials.
There is no need to add sophistication to simple things.
WHY REWARD REBELS WHO GO ABOUT INSULTING YOU! THEY GOT WHAT THEY BARGAINED FOR! SMART CONSTITUTIONAL FUNDIES, EH! POOR NONPROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE JUST LOST JOBS, EASY JOBS OF BEEING A POLITICIAN! GET REAL JOBS LIKE SOME OF US! KKKKKKKKK!