Women’s chair Matibenga takes MDC to court

By Lance Guma
23 October 2007

The deposed chairperson of the MDC Women’s Assembly, Lucia Matibenga, has filed a High Court application seeking to bar her party from proceeding with a special congress on Sunday that is meant to elect a new executive. In an interview with Newsreel on Tuesday Matibenga said she had given up on internal party dialogue as all avenues had been closed to her. She says party president Morgan Tsvangirai is not speaking to her despite repeated requests for a meeting with him to discuss the problems rocking the party. The veteran trade unionist is seeking court intervention after what she alleges is a flagrant violation of the party constitution that led to the removal of her executive.

The standing committee of the MDC resolved to dissolve the executive, citing non-performance and personal clashes between the leaders. Matibenga however says that committee has no power to make such a decision. Only the National Council of the party or the National Council of the Women can make changes to the set up. She is also challenging the composition of delegates to the conference arguing, ‘I was voted for by 3000 people so how can 231 vote me out.’ Matibenga insists those who put her in that position must decide her fate. The MDC has invited provincial and district structures to the congress while Matibenga says the wards should be represented, and only then is she likely to attend.

Allegations that money is flying around as candidates seek to buy support are adding to an already messy situation. Matibenga says she remains open to dialogue but alleges that the party leadership was not comfortable with strong leaders and wanted people who could be manipulated. Several women’s groups have rallied around her, culminating in the Friends of Lucia Campaign, which has been set up to offer her support. Some gender activists have argued that the matter betrays the paternal nature of politics in Zimbabwe, where men treat women as junior partners and dictate agendas.

Asked to comment on Matibenga’s court application, Secretary General Tendai Biti said the matter was subjudice since it was now before the courts. He said all the parties concerned should await the determination of the courts and avoid making their comments public. The matter has however deeply divided the party, with some officials coming out publicly in support of Matibenga while others vented their frustration in private. This latest crisis to rock the party has disappointed supporters, especially coming just months before the crucial presidential and parliamentary election in 2008, when it is so critical to present a united front.

NB: This week Thursday on Behind the Headlines you can listen to the full interview between Lance Guma and Lucia Matibenga.