The Welshman Ncube-led MDC has formally expelled five legislators — including Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Nomalanga Khumalo — for allegedly working with the rival opposition MDC-T party. Report by Nqobile Bhebhe/Richard Muponde
The other affected legislators are Maxwell Dube (Tsholotsho South MP), Kembo Dube (Umzingwane Senator), Dalumuzi Khumalo (Lupane Senator) and Thandeko Mkhandla (Gwanda North MP).
In a letter dated November 12, 2012 and signed by secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, the MDC accused the legislators of contravening their party’s constitution.
The party said it would soon notify Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo of the move.
According to Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s letter, the MPs’ membership of the party was “was automatically terminated in June of 2009”.
They were disciplined under Article 4 (10) (a) of the MDC constitution, which provides that “membership of the party shall be terminated if a member of the party joins and/or supports a political party other than MDC”.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga said in June 2008, the five were “recruited to join the MDC-T” as evidenced by “your Botswana trip and ever since that day you have consistently worked with MDC-T”.
The five were also notified that at an appropriate time, “the party will advise the Speaker of Parliament that you ceased to be members of the party under whose ticket you were elected to Parliament”.
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“When the party decides the timing by which to invoke its right under the national constitution, you will lose your seat in Parliament, which seat belongs to the party under whose ticket you were elected,” reads part of the letter.
Contacted for comment, Dalumuzi Khumalo said he had not heard of the expulsion or seen the letter, saying if it was true that he had been expelled, then “someone was being mischievous”.
“I haven’t received the letter. I am not even linked to the MDC-T as alleged,” he said.
“If it’s true, then someone is trying to be mischievous. I will comment further when I have had sight of the letter.” The other four were not reachable for comment.
The sacking of the five leaves the MDC with Moses Mzila-Ndlovu, David Coltart, Patrick Dube and Edward Mkhosi as elected legislators.
In 2009, former legislators Abednigo Bhebhe, Njabuliso Mguni and Norman Mpofu were kicked out of the party and subsequently lost their parliamentary seats after they were accused of working with the MDC-T.
