via Ian Kay suspended from party politics for five years | SW Radio Africa by Tichaona Sibanda November 15, 2013
Ian Kay, the former MDC-T MP for Marondera, has been given a five-year ban from politics by his provincial executive in Mashonaland East, for recently suggesting that Morgan Tsvangirai should resign.
The Mash East provincial executive met this week to decide Kay’s fate, but the decision to suspend him for five years is being viewed in party circles as harsh. The suspension came despite the fact that party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora last month announced they had amicably resolved their differences with Kay.
The former legislator’s comments two months ago left the party in turmoil, when he reportedly told the media that the MDC-T was like a ‘soccer team’ and ‘if the coach continues losing, there is need for the technical board to sit down and deal with the issue.’
He continued: ‘There is need to plan ahead before the ship sinks and if there is need to change the coach, then let it be. Or should I say it is like a rusty bolt? There is need for it to be removed and replaced with a new one rather than leave it like that.’
Kay, who insists his comments were taken out of context, said he will need to study the verdict of the disciplinary outcome before commenting on the suspension.
Last month Mwonzora, following a one-on-one discussion he had with Kay, recommended to the party that the matter concerning the comments be regarded as resolved.
A senior member of the party who sits on the standing committee told us he was taken aback by the decision to ban Kay, suggesting there could be more behind the suspension.
‘I don’t think as a party we will allow ourselves to settle personal differences this way, but let’s wait until we get the report and study it before saying anything else,’ the official said.
Political commentator Dr Maxwell Shumba told SW Radio Africa that the decision to ban Kay is misguided, as it is not a crime to discuss leadership renewal in the party.
‘I think the provincial leadership needs guidance on what to do following the elections, instead of focusing on settling old scores, they should be fortifying their structures and forging unity amongst the warring individuals concerned,’ Shumba said.
He added: ‘They are concentrating on the wrong issues, petty things that do not bring ZANU PF down. They should be looking at ways of beating ZANU PF in the next election instead of dealing with minor issues.’
COMMENTS
Mr KAY HONEST
The suspension of innocent Mr Kay is a conspicous sign is gradually burying itself and is doomed to history.IF Tsvangaria was given an opportunity to beat trice to beat Mugabe but failed.
What can mature people say except to echo Mr Kays postulation.
As I stated before the problem with MDC is that its run by young inexperienced UZ graduates like their counterparts in ZANU PF.I was shocked how their primaries were being conducted because were held in a manner that only those close to the leadership were given chances to contest.This was done so that the useless members who were already mps would be automatically nominated.In a democratic party this is not allowed at all.MDC has become a branch of ZANU PF whether or not we accept it.I had high hopes FOR this party when it was formed.It was the only real opposition party to the ruling one but they have turned up to be terrible little dictators.The masses should wake up and stop it before it becomes cancerous.Mr Kay you should be proud of yourself to realize before its too late that you are dealing with unstable leadership.Everybody is replaceable on this earth.Only fools think otherwise.
There is a need to mention the lecturer of political science at UZ.
A violent man- even his wife made police complaint about him.
How can UZ keep him as a lecturer – will they give a degree on how to lose an election.
What hope is there for students at UZ, no wonder they think its better to go straight into politics – what have lecturers such as this got to lecture on – really!
Once upon a time a certain Dzikamai Mavhaire made similar statements about Mugabe and he suffered a similar fate. Is it possible that MDC-T is using the same notes? Just asking.
The suspensiondontworry about it much.The one who suspended him will be asked to explain at our congress.If he or she fails to convince the people with reasonable grounds to suspend Kay, then the suspender will find suspended himself.So Kay must see himself as not suspended because we need to deal without emotions in our judgements.Tikatanga harsh sentences today,tava kutonga tinozoita seZANU kutongerana rufu nema accidents.Honourable Kay had all the rights to say what he said.We need to grow up emotionally.Hanzi shoko harivhikwi plus chati homu chareva.Fact that he sees need for leadership change rings the bell for us to strategise , form our own intelligence to counter any evil targeted at us.Foward with democracy
Ths is all rubbish now.Apa rwave Rukanda chairwo.Is he the only one who has said it Why only hm Be careful guys.Mwarasika manje.Ths showes imaturity.Ian we r behind u.Inga vese vana Mr Mudzuri mentioned about it.Mwakaoma vanhu veku Mash east Its not ur fault u r kids in politics.So if u start giving vanhu a death penalty b4 u rule mwavekutotyisa.Munonyadzisa
How very ZANU-PF say something bad about Mugabe and your thrown in prison.
The MDC sprukes about freedom of speech and yet when Ian Kay suggests and is well within his rights to suggest that perhaps a change in leadership is needed he is suspended.
Thats why i chose not to join political parties. I dont see much in politicians besides selffishness. I dont see any signal of love and care for zimbabwe from both zanu and mdc. Its all about power and authority. Only one person,the major from midlands who refused an official vehicle to save money showed me the love and care for his community. The rest is all about self enrichment. MPs want to be seen driving expensive cars while the economy bleeds. Mdc claims to be democratic but goes and do exactly what they oppose zanu for.
Chamatama has turned another dictator who does not tolerate anyone with views different from his. Challenge his leadership and you are sure to leave his party.
Ian Kays deserves that. Why did he uttered that when he knows the right channel to say it
So tell me who are moulding dictators? Is Mr K wrong to speak his mind. Zimbabweans must check themselves out
All zanu supporters are former dzakudzakus and all mdc supporters are former zanu. These people are the same. Just like the warriors football team who always play and never wins. Zim politicians are players and the country is always the loser. Look at our mps’ life style on both parties. They are very rich even some who we knew to be poor 5 years ago are now owning properties and no longer play social football,they now play golf. Where did the money came from when the country had been very poor for the past 15 yrs? Its not about zimbabwe its about personal pockets. I feel sorry for those who go out of their way and get injured for zanu or mdc. They are being used for nothing. God bless strive masiiwa and those of his like mind. You have made us a worthy people not these greedy parties who are not even shy..
MDC should suspend Roy Bennet as well ‘cos he was the first to speak. Then we see where the funds wil come from.
Unfortunately you are right MDC has all been about money and self enrichment.
All the damage to the nation, pitting brother against brother so they can get rich.
Ian. Walk away from the MDC curuption. The cure for ZANU has proved to be worse than the desease.
I have no doubt that Kay is well out of it, they are a a circus with plenty of clowns
There is this thing called code of conduct in any political party. Depending on where he said and the motive, thus why an investigation and a committee sat down to make a decision. MDC is suffering from infiltration by ZPF and its members bribed, if the committee believed or had reasons to bekieve that Kay is such bribed member, I would say, lets rather leave the party with 2 people (Morgan and myself) than to work with sellouts
Give someone’s name from Zanu who is nuts enough to bribe an MDC T supporter – no sane person would give them a cent.
ZANU PF ndizvo.
oh dear, Morgan is another Bob, He is the a buffoon who once in control thinks he has the right to be there for life. Do the job properly and don’t hand elections to ZANUPF and you will get the respect you crave but as you are you are not a leader. No wonder there are several MDC parties. Zimbabwe we are doomed. Lets get another (non MDC ) peoples opposition formed.
I doubt Kay will lose sleep. He knows mdc sold out after 2008 erections!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!