MDC defies court ruling, says its congress will go ahead as planned

The Movement for Democratic Change today said it does not agree with the High Court ruling which ordered the party to hold an extraordinary congress within a month to elect a substantive leader adding that its ordinary congress scheduled for 24-26 May will go ahead as planned.

“We fundamentally disagree with the judgement. The choice of leaders of any political party, the world over is the sole preserve of the members of that party,” party spokesman Jacob Mafume said.

“It can never be a judicial process. Equally, the actions, activities and programmes of a political party, being a voluntary organisation whose existence is protected by the Constitution, is the sole preserve of the members that party.”

The High Court today said the appointment of party leader Nelson Chamisa, first as vice-president, then as acting president and finally as president was unconstitutional and was therefore null and void.

Mafume said: “In just a few weeks’ time, the MDC will complete the process of democratically electing its leadership at a congress convened in terms of its constitution. Strangely, Justice Mushore’s judgement contradicts and totally ignores an earlier judgement of the High Court which ruled on the case of Murimoga versus the MDC.

“We are fully aware of the machinations and strategies being deployed by the Mnangagwa administration to destabilize and destroy the people’s project. We reiterate that Emmerson Mnangagwa is illegitimate and no amount of diversionary tactics will change this fact.

“For the avoidance of doubt, preparations for the main Congress are at an advanced stage and 6 800 delegates will attend. That process is irreversible. We shall hold a historic and joyous Congress under the theme: Defining a new course for Zimbabwe.”

The High Court also ruled that all the appointments made by Chamisa were null and void.

Chamisa appointed Welshman Ncube and Morgen Komichi as vice-presidents, as well as Tendai Biti as deputy chair and Mafume as party spokesman.

If the MDC goes ahead with its congress, this will be the second time it has defied a court ruling.

Last year it went to court to challenge Mnangagwa’s victory but lost the case at the Constitutional Court. It still maintains Mnangagwa is an illegitimate president.

Full statement

MDC Congress process irreversible

We have just been advised of the High Court of Zimbabwe judgement issued by Justice Edith Mushore today.

We fundamentally disagree with the judgement.

The choice of leaders of any political party, the world over is the sole preserve of the members of that party.

It can never be a judicial process. Equally, the actions, activities and programmes of a political party, being a voluntary organisation whose existence is protected by the Constitution, is the sole preserve of the members that party.

In the past few months, over 500 000 members of the MDC have been involved in a process of electing their leaders at lower levels, from branch to the province. More particularly, over 10 200 branches, 1 958 wards, 210 districts and 13 provinces have been elected.

In just a few weeks’ time, the MDC will complete the process of democratically electing its leadership at a Congress convened in terms of its Constitution. Strangely, Justice Mushore’s judgement contradicts and totally ignores an earlier judgement of the High Court which ruled on the case of Murimoga versus the MDC.

We are fully aware of the machinations and strategies being deployed by the Mnangagwa administration to destabilize and destroy the people’s project. We reiterate that Emmerson Mnangagwa is illegitimate and no amount of diversionary tactics will change this fact.

For the avoidance of doubt, preparations for the main Congress are at an advanced stage and 6 800 delegates will attend. That process is irreversible. We shall hold a historic and joyous Congress under the theme: Defining a new course for Zimbabwe.

All roads lead to Gweru.
Jacob Mafume
MDC Spokesperson

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