Pro-senate Mzila Ndhlovu says Tsvangirai a fugitive

28 November 2005
By Tererai Karimakwenda

On the day that low voter turn-out characterised Zimbabwe’s controversial senate elections, proving that people did not want a 2nd chamber of government, the pro-senate faction of the now split opposition did not seem bothered, as they moved swiftly to try and take disciplinary action against the party president Morgan Tsvangirai. A letter sent to Tsvangirai by vice president Gibson Sibanda said a disciplinary committee had suspended the opposition leader Tsvangirai for violating the party’s constitution, campaigning against the polls and misrepresenting the party’s position on the polls, among others.
Pro-senate spokesman Moses Mzila Ndhlovu told us Monday that there is only one MDC and it is functioning from Harvest House. Asked if they had access to the Harare headquarters, Ndhlovu said some youth hired by Tsvangirai had assaulted their staff and hounded them out of the building. As for the committee that suspended Tsvangirai, Ndhlovu said it was properly composed according to the constitution and is chaired by MDC vice president Gibson Sibanda himself. Asked whether it was proper for Tsvangirai’s accusers to sit on the committee as well, Ndhlovu said he saw nothing wrong with a legal institution of the MDC performing its functions.
As for the coming congress, Mzila-Ndhlovu said the people will choose new leaders and those who violated the constitution or are guilty of any infringements will not be welcome. He said fugitives are not welcome and Tsvnagirai was definitely a fugitive.