THE MDC Alliance national leadership has reversed a decision by its
provincial committee in Matabeleland North to fire Victoria Falls Mayor,
Councillor Somvelo Dlamini.
The party’s provincial secretary, Mr Mxolisi Ndlovu, advised Clr
Dlamini of his expulsion in a letter dated October 20, 2018, accusing
him of bringing the party into disrepute by defying directives and
undermining protocol among other charges.
Clr Dlamini’s charges were premised on the fact that he allegedly
defied the party’s decree where he was supposed to stand as deputy mayor
and leave the mayorship for preferred candidate, Clr Margaret Varley of
Ward 1.
The party’s national secretary, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, wrote to the
provincial committee on Wednesday accusing them of not following
procedure.
“I am in receipt of your letter purporting to expel the said member
from the party. I also refer to the minutes of the provincial executive
committee meeting, it’s clear that no charges were laid and no
disciplinary hearing was conducted in relation to the member.
“Please note that in terms of Clause 6.1.9 of the Real Change Code of
ethics Annexure B of the constitution, a member can only be dismissed
after due process has been followed. It’s clear that this has not been
the case and your purported expulsion is therefore null and void,” said
Mr Mwonzora in a letter dated October 29.
He said the provincial executive committee does not have the power to expel any member from the party.
“Your purported expulsion of the member is null and void for want of
compliance with the party constitution as that is the duty of the
national disciplinary committee headed by the national chairperson or
the national council,” Mr Mwonzora said.
In an interview, Mr Mwonzora confirmed writing the letter and said
the provincial leadership acted without the knowledge of the party
leadership.
“Every decision we make we must follow the constitution. Regarding
Victoria Falls, the constitution is very clear that there ought to be a
process where the person is given the right to be heard.
“What it means is that he hasn’t been removed and if the province
wishes to remove him they will have to call him for a hearing. I have
not said they should not discipline him, they have that right but they
should follow the procedure,” he said.
Mr Mwonzora said the national leadership only learnt about the issue after the province had already fired Cllr Dlamini.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwonzora has urged members who disagree with the party leadership to follow internal appeal procedure.
Yesterday, Clr Dlamini chaired the full council meeting which was attended by scores of residents.
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