The race to replace the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai took a dramatic turn on Saturday after the National council unanimously resolved to expel one of the presidential candidates Abednico Bhebhe for allegedly “supporting another political party other than the MDC T”.
Bhebhe was vying for the presidency together with current leader Thokizani Khupe, Douglas Mwonzora, Morgan Komichi and Elias Mudzuri.
During the first round of the nomination process in Bulawayo last week, Bhebhe reprotedly recieved an overwhelming number of votes of 170, Khupe (35), Mwonzora (7) while Komichi and Mudzuri got not nomination from party members.
Howver, the Independent Election Management Body which handled the poll said contrary to reports that Bhebhe had won, Khupe emerged victorious with 59 votes while Bhebhe got 45 votes.
Mwonzora sent an internal memorandum to all provincial structures on November 11 suspending the process in other provinces.
“Please note that no nominations process must be done until the National Council has given the necessary directions,” he wrote.
However, during its meeting on Saturday, Bhebhe was expelled.
“National Council therefore unanimously resolves to 1. Expel Mr A Bhebhe from the party in terms of section 5.10.a and 5.11.a of the constitution for grossly violating the constitution of the party supporting another political party other than the MDC T,” reads a statement from Acting National spokesperson Tapiwa Mashakada.
He added, “To that end he is formally disqualified to take part in any processes of the party. 2. Nominate T. Khupe, M. Komichi, E. Mudzuri and D.T.Mwonzora to contest the position of President of the party”.
In an interview with CITE, Bhebhe said he has not been officially informed of the decision.
“I will only comment after am officially notified by MDC-T. For now am still campaigning,” he said.
Mashakada said the Extraordinary Congress will be held between the 13th and the 20th of December 2020 at a venue(s) to be advised.
The Supreme Court had initially directed the extraordinary congress be held within 90 days of the order that was delivered on March 31.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions hindered the holding of the congress.
As part of the resolutions, the statement said ” Affirming that the Supreme Court judgement doesn’t entail deviating from the clear provisions of our constitution. Realising that some members of the Party have left the party and joined or formed other political parties and that by that fact alone the said members have renounced their membership of the party.”
Recently, the party has recalled several legislators and more than councillors on allegations of supporting rival MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.
This week, Mwonzora had indicated that other rival political parties are interfering in the nomination process.
He added that arrangements to deal with compliance with the Covid-19 regulations in view of the numbers likely to attend these meetings basing on attendances in Bulawayo as a yardstick will be notified.
However, the National council statement is silent on both matters and when the nomination process will resume.
It was either they fire him or rig the elections to avoid the Bhebhe brand from dominating the MDC T presidency. This has showed how weak Makhuphe is as a people’s choice. Her own allies voted Bhebhe in.