MDC crisis meeting rescinds senate participation decision

By John Matinde
05 November 2005

The National Council of the MDC met on Saturday 5 November as called for by MDC Party President Morgan Tsvangirai. 9 out of 12 Provinces attended. Those who did not were Matabeleland South, Bulawayo and Midlands South. It is not immediately clear as to their reason for not showing up. About 19 out of 31 members of the National Executive turned up. Notable absentees were The Secretary General Welshman Ncube, Dep Secretary General Gift Chimanikire who is said to be in hospital with a broken leg, Fletcher Dulini Ncube, David Colthart, Renson Gasela and Innocent Gonese.

The meeting was heralded as ground breaking by observers, as several unanimous resolutions were adopted. These include:

·All senate candidates to resign their candidature in the Senate elections within the next 7 days or face expulsion from the party
Morgan Tsvangirayi mandated to be only speaker for the party at present
·National Congress to be held at the end of February 2006
·Job Sikhala's case to be referred to the National Executive for appropriate disciplinary action and accorded 3rd hearing and benefit of appeal.
·A 4 member committee comprising Kupe, Eddie Cross, Matongo and Mushonga, to mediate between opposing membership in the Senate debate.