MDC suspends troublesome MP

The Morgan Tsvangirai faction of the Movement for Democratic Change on 15 October 2006 suspended the member of Parliament for Mabvuku, Timothy Mubawu in connection with the attack on the pro-senate faction member Trudy Stevenson as well as his sexist remarks in Parliament.

Secretary-general Tendai Biti said that Mubawu’s case had been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for further review.

The committee would decide whether Mubawu should be expelled from the party completely as opposed to his current suspension from party office.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 06HARARE1262, MDC SUSPENDS TROUBLESOME MP

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R 181259Z OCT 06

FM AMEMBASSY HARARE

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0716

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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1562

UNCLAS HARARE 001262

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AF/S FOR S. HILL

NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL ZI

SUBJECT: MDC SUSPENDS TROUBLESOME MP

REF: A. A) HARARE 1247

¶B. B) HARARE 1216

¶1. (U) The anti-Senate faction of the MDC on October 15

suspended Tafara-Mabvuku MP Timothy Mubawu from his official

party positions due to his connection to the attack on

pro-Senate MDC MP Trudy Stevenson (ref B) and his sexist

remarks in Parliament (ref A). MDC Secretary General Tendai

Biti on October 17 told poloff that the party’s national

executive council suspended the MP from his position as

director of elections for Harare provincial because of his

links to the attack on the pro-Senate officials, while he was

also removed from the national executive council because of

his comments against the Domestic Violence Bill.

¶2. (U) Biti said that Mubawu’s case had been referred to the

party’s disciplinary committee for further review at a yet

undermined time. Biti said that the committee would hold a

hearing to decide if Mubawu should be expelled from the party

completely ) as opposed to his current suspension from party

office. If Mubawu were expelled from the party, Biti noted

that the MP would lose his seat in parliament, thus prompting

a by-election.

——-

Comment

——-

¶3. (SBU) Mubawu’s connection to the Stevenson attack and his

regressive comments on gender equality were a blemish on the

opposition’s reputation that has now been addressed.

Moreover, the manner in which the MDC is handling Mubawu

shows the party’s commitment to due process; the referral to

the disciplinary committee is a far more transparent means of

addressing the problem than simply expelling Mubawu.

SCHULTZ

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