Suspended opposition MDC-T senior members have hit back at party president Douglas Mwonzora accusing him of assuming leadership through an illegitimate process.
MDC-T announced the suspension of seven senior leaders including former vice president Elias Mudzuri, party candidate for Harare central Norest Marara and five others.
The seven were accused of causing disturbances during the party’s recent elective congress held in the capital and also face charges of taking the party to court, colluding with forces hostile to the party, convening unsanctioned meetings as well as undermining the party’s democratic processes.
In a letter addressed to the national council, party leader and national chairperson Solomon Chikohwero, the seven said Mwonzora has no right to suspend them as he has not been duly elected president of the party.
“First and foremost, it is imperative that we put the subject matter into context. As per 6.4.4.1 of the MDC Constitution, The President and National Chairman of the party together with the rest of the Standing Committee office bearers shall be elected at Congress.
“Since no congress has been held according to the tenets of the party constitution, the offices stipulated in 6.4.4.1 are deemed to remain vacant. Any individual seeking to usurp powers vested in 6.4.4.1 is acting ultra-vies the party constitution and any actions, announcements or representations from such individuals are null and void,” read the letter.
Mwonzora outfoxed his rivals ahead of the party congress last year when he emerged as the sole candidate for the presidency when the party’s national council met in November and endorsed him without going to congress.
The seven vowed to continue working to uplift the values, principles, and ethos of the Movement for Democratic Change and said they will engage the grassroots toward a people driven Congress.
