The Welshman Ncube-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has fired three of the four members of its National Executive Council (NEC) who were suspended two weeks ago for attending an unsanctioned meeting with the rival faction led by Douglas Mwonzora.
This comes at a time when political parties have begun positioning themselves for the impending 2023 polls.
The MDC contested the 2018 polls under the umbrella of the MDC-Alliance together with Nelson Chamisa-led faction and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) then led by Tendai Biti.
However, since the 31 March 2020 Supreme Court ruling which nullified Chamisa’s presidency of the MDCT and dismissal of the alliance as a political party, there have been clear divisions with the MDC Alliance with the emergence of the Mwonzora faction.
The Ncube-led MDC party members, who were fired yesterday are Shupikai Mandaza (Deputy National Chairperson), Christopher Monera (Secretary for Policy and Research) and Munango Musevenzo while Gift Karupati’s suspension remains pending.
In letters dated 20 August 2021 and addressed to each of three, MDC Disciplinary Committee Chairperson, Faroah Zebron Jele said the party had terminated their membership with immediate effect.
“This is to advise you that the National Disciplinary Committee met as scheduled on 20 August 2021 in your absence to consider the charges levelled against you as set out in my letter to you summoning you to appear before the disciplinary committee and found you guilty of all the charges and further resolved to expel you from the party with immediate effect,” said Jele.
“Accordingly, please be informed that your membership of the party has been terminated with effect from midday 20 August 2021. You are advised to hand over whatever party property or material including party regalia that may be in your possession to the office of the Secretary-General of the party.”
Meanwhile, the MDC National Council met this week and came up with a number of resolutions.
“Council recalled the meeting held between the late President Morgan Tsvangirai, Hon. Tendai Biti and Professor Welshman Ncube on 9 June 2017 at which the three leaders agreed to take measures for the re-integration of the three formations of the original MDC,” said the party’s acting secretary-general, Ilos Nyoni.
“Council further recalled its Mabvazuva resolution of 21 October 2017 through which Council endorsed the request of the three leaders for the unconditional integration of MDC, MDCT and PDP with a view to reconstituting the original MDC of 1999 so as to deal with the multiple crises affecting Zimbabwe which include the crisis of legitimacy, governance, economy disequilibrium, breakdown of the rule of law, corruption and massive closure of political space.”
Nyoni added: “Council expressed concern with the slow pace of the integration process due to a number of factors including but not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Council resolved to urge the MDC Alliance leadership to speed up the integration process so that all cadres and leadership in National Executive, Provincial, District, wards and Diaspora structures are fully integrated so as to create an effective and robust team to dislodge the ZANU PF ‘illegitimate’ government come 2023 elections.”
