by Tawanda Musariri
The all powerful MDC Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora is alleged to have written to the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda recalling at least nine MDC MPs from Parliament for undisclosed acts of misconduct.
The letter, according to a Harvest House informant, reached the speaker's desk last week.
Speaking authoritatively but on condition of anonymity, the informant said, "The SG has written to Parliament recalling at least nine of our MPs from Parliament, five of which are from Harare. While I'm unaware of the type of charges against them, a member in the NSC (National Standing Committee) I am close to insinuated that the firing was ignited by the Mudzuri gaffe at State House. The nine reportedly connived to embarrass our VP but their plot seems to be tipping them down the drain."
The nine are, Hon Susan Mutsungu (Mufakose); Hon Happymore Chidziva (Highfield West); Hon Charlton Hwende (Kuwadzana); Hon Costa Machingauta (Budiriro); Hon Earthrage Kureva (Epworth); Hon Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura/Chikanga) and senators Lilian Timveous (Midlands); Nomathemba Ndlovu and Memory Mbondiya (both from Matabeleland North).
While there has not been reliable official word over the misconduct of the lawmakers, what is clear is that the majority of them actively cooperated in embarrassing Mudzuri last Monday. The only visible missing actor in the fiasco is national elections director Murisi Zwizwai (Harare Central).
Zwizwai and Hwende are the most visible actors who chided Mudzuri in a video that went viral after the latter cast a lone figure at State House representing his party.
The MDC has on record been boycotting any function presided by President Mnangagwa claiming he did not win the election to the presidency.
While Mudzuri did not choose to enter a race of words with his admonishers, he later went on social media lashing at his fellow parliamentarians, describing them as immature.
While Mudzuri and Mwonzora have remained tight lipped on the presidential race due on the party congress in February, word in Harvest House corridors say one of them is going to oppose Chamisa while the other will back the contestant. While the two are said to be opposing Chamisa, they do not want to compete each other for fear of splitting their vote to Chamisa's advantage.
Other sources close to Harvest House claim that both Mudzuri and Mwonzora are going to announce their candidature in January and run their separate campaigns before one of them drops his candidature in support of the other at the last minute to shock the Chamisa camp.
The Speaker of Parliament could not respond to the letter as he was out of the country last week.
The week ahead will be full of fireworks as the targeted MPs are mounting their defence against the attempt to unseat them from Parliament.
Mutseyami is leading the defence.
If the MPs are successfully dismissed from Parliament, they lose parliamentary privileges that include all terrain vehicles traditionally given to MPs. The expulsion will also open by elections in their respective constituencies.
The MDC does not have a record of winning by-elections.
