THE Dr Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T has said preparations for
its extraordinary congress are at an advanced in line with a recent High Court
judgment, which nullified MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s appointment as president
of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T).
Justice Edith Mushore ruled that the decision by the late
former MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai to handpick two additional vice
presidents, Mr Chamisa and Engineer Elias Mudzuri, was illegal and that the
party should hold an extraordinary congress within a month using 2014
structures.
Mr Chamisa, however, filed a notice of appeal at the
Supreme Court on Thursday.
In a statement yesterday, Dr Khupe said the party was
confident of victory and retaining its former glory. “I have had extensive
consultations with different stakeholders and constituencies and all are
determined to take our party back from the toxic claws of the infamous ‘G40’.
“Very soon all the delegates of our 2014 congress will have
an opportunity to once again retain our movement to its former glorious days of
steadfastness to the culture, character, values and principles of social
democracy,” said Dr Khupe.
She said the party welcomes the appeal of the High Court
judgment by Mr Chamisa because they respect the country’s rule of law.
“Frivolous as it is, at least it is a departure from the
slippery slope posture of impugning the judiciary every time the judgment is
not favourable to one’s subjective democracy.
“We have a lot of legal and political options we can employ
moving forward and l want the membership to take courage in that our strength
is derived from our strong commitment to constitutionalism and democratic
values and processes,” said Dr Khupe.
She added that she will soon be visiting all districts and
wards of the party, in preparation for the “MDC-T legitimate Extraordinary
Congress”.
“There is therefore no need to panic or even employ money
and energy in stopping some gathering purported to be our ‘congress’ as such a
gathering is null and void and only amounts to a jamboree.
“I urge all our cadres to remain vigilant, loyal and
dedicated to the values of our struggle and the character and culture of our
movement during this time. Rest assured, victory is certain,” said Dr Khupe.
Mr Chamisa was one of the two vice presidents handpicked by
Mr Tsvangirai and was later elevated to the position of party president.
The contested judgment followed an application by Gokwe
district organising secretary, Mr Elias Mashavire, challenging the 2016
decision by the late MDC-T leader decision to handpick Mr Chamisa and Engineer
Mudzuri as his deputies.
The two joined Dr Khupe, who was voted for at the 2014
congress.
Mr Chamisa and Dr Khupe went their separate ways following
the death of Mr Tsvangirai in February last year.
At the time, Dr Khupe insisted she was the bona fide MDC-T
leader because she was the only vice president elected at the party’s congress
in 2014. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment