The Movement for Democratic Change faction loyal to party leader Morgan Tsvangirai today said the decision by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to refer the dispute over whether it can recall Members of Parliament who sided with secretary-general Tendai Biti to suspend the party leadership was a victory for the faction because it can now proceed with recalling the MPs. The faction said Mudenda had educated Biti that he was not the only legitimate person who could ask Parliament to recall the legislators. “The response by Speaker Mudenda leaves the door open for the MDC to exercise its power of recall according to chapter 129(k) of the Constitution. Therefore, the party is going to proceed with recalling those Members of Parliament that no longer belong to it,” the party said in an unsigned statement.
Full statement:
Friday, 09 May 2014
Mudenda educates Biti on procedure
The MDC notes the response given by the Speaker of Parliament regarding Tendai Biti’s letter in which he wanted a declaration by Parliament that the MDC as a party has no power of recall and an endorsement that he (Biti) is the only legitimate person to write to Parliament from the party for a recall.
Our letter on the other hand, was merely clarifying to Parliament that the legal position propounded by Biti was incorrect as at the time the MDC had not exercised its right of recall.
The MDC is happy that Speaker Mudenda has refused to aid Biti’s sinister move of a Parliament coup. He has in fact, educated Biti that in circumstances where he intends to overturn and overthrow an obtaining legal order; Parliament is not the appropriate platform.
As such, the Speaker of Parliament has not made a ruling endorsing Biti’s position, neither has he ruled that Biti is the sole communicator with parliament.
The response by Speaker Mudenda leaves the door open for the MDC to exercise its power of recall according to chapter 129(k) of the Constitution. Therefore, the party is going to proceed with recalling those Members of Parliament that no longer belong to it.
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