Own Correspondent
Fadzai Mahere with Nelson Chamisa Newly appointed MDC Alliance national spokesperson Fadzai Mahere has declared that the opposition party will crack its whip on party parliamentarians who recently defied a directive to boycott parliament business.
Zimbabwe’s main opposition party recently boycotted parliamentary proceedings to protest against the dismissal of four of its legislators at the behest of a faction opposed to the party leadership.
On March 31, the country’s Supreme Court declared that Nelson Chamisa’s leadership of the MDC left behind by founding President Morgan Tsvangirai was illegitimate and ordered the party to hold an election to replace him within three months.
The MDC Alliance said parliament, which is controlled by the ruling ZANU-PF party, had taken sides in the fight to control the opposition. The MDC suspended participation in parliament while it consulted members on its next move.
In the process some of its MPs defied the position and went on to attend parliament.
In a wide ranging interview with Zimbabwe Independent, Mahere said the opposition party will deal with the MPs ergo defied the directive.
“We are a party of rules, discipline and due process. The law will take its course in a fair, transparent manner in accordance with the dictates and internal processes of our constitution,” she said.
Asked on how effective the boycott of parliament was, Mahere said it was important for the party leaders to act unilaterally for any of the resolutions to be effective.
“It was effective because it gave us an opportunity to engage our constituents and grassroots and hear what their views are on what is transpiring in Parliament and how they want us to respond. It is important for party leaders not to act unilaterally. It is important for us to send a clear message to Parliament, to the MDC-T and to all Zimbabweans that we are bound by the will of the people. The people voted for the MDC-Alliance as led by president Chamisa,” said Mahere.
Among the MPs who attended were, Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada, Emakhandeni-Entumbane MP Dingilizwe Tshuma, Hwange East MP Sansole Tose Wesley, proportional representative MPs Memory Mbondiah, Dorcas Sibanda and Ruth Labode.
Among those who also attended were Southerton MP Peter Moyo, Virginia Mafuta, Tekeshe, Joice Makonya, Francesca Ncube, Brightness Mangora, Vincent Tsvangirai and Winnie Kanguni.