Staff Reporter| Independent Member of Parliament for the Norton Constituency, Temba Mliswa, has cautioned the MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, over its continued stance of refusing to recognise President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legitimacy, as shooting itself in the foot.
Taking to his microblogging platform on Twitter, Mliswa said, “I’ve been attacked left, right and centre for saying this but the truth of the matter is constitutionally @edmnangagwa is President for at least the next five years; it’s a ConCourt ruling. Whilst one may debate this point in bars etc, it’s a legally binding position; that’s it.”
ZimEye can report that as Mliswa made these comments early Monday morning, there is bound to be more chaos in opposition circles, as another MDC Zimbabwe party was clandestinely registered in Gweru, just when Zimbabweans are also eagerly awaiting a Supreme Court verdict over the authentic leadership of the MDC.
Mliswa cautioned that the resulting impasse in the Parliament between MDC Alliance and Zanu PF MPs, with the latter having in turn responded by refusing to recognise MDC Alliance committee chairs, means the MDC Alliance has lost some crucial spaces of influence, citing the important Public Accounts Committee, (PAC) chaired by Tendai Biti.
Biti was set to preside over a crucial hearing from the controversial Sakunda Holdings, which had to be aborted twice after Zanu PF Member of Parliament, Dexter Nduna, apparently raised a point of order as to why the PAC should be chaired by someone who does not recognise Mnangagwa’s Presidency.
Wrote Mliswa, “The position taken by @MDCAllianceZW is indeed unfortunate as @BitiTendai is a brilliant Chair who’s astute leadership is now being suppressed unnecessarily @nelsonchamisa.”
The outspoken legislator also noted that whilst MDC Alliance MPs had taken this stance their councillors have not.
“Let me try and play by hand at being a peace broker to at least justify tax payers monies which are being wasted by this stance. The Speaker has the final say however and there are processes and procedures to be followed,” said Mliswa.