Residents back fired MP

Politics
MPOPOMA and Pelandaba residents on Tuesday thronged the constituency parliamentary office of MP Bekithemba Nyathi on Wednesday to pledge their support for him after the MDC-T announced his expulsion.

MPOPOMA and Pelandaba residents on Tuesday thronged the constituency parliamentary office of MP Bekithemba Nyathi on Wednesday to pledge their support for him after the MDC-T announced his expulsion. NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER

mdc_flagNyathi supports the renewal team and was part of the weekend meeting that resolved to “suspend” party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, his deputy Thokozani Khupe, Lovemore Moyo (chairperson), Morgan Komichi (deputy chairperson), Nelson Chamisa (organising secretary), Abednico Bhebhe (deputy organising secretary) and spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora.

Tsvangirai and his deputies responded by holding their own meeting and expelling all legislators aligned to the renewal team led by secretary-general Tendai Biti. The residents said only them had the right to recall Nyathi from Parliament.

“We are the ones that campaigned and voted for Nyathi. The MDC-T might be facing its own leadership challenges, but our constituency should not be orphaned as a result.

“Nyathi is our MP; we chose him and we assure him of our support,” Albert Moyo, who was among those who thronged the office, said.

Nkayi South, Bulilima East and Lupane East villagers spent nearly four years without parliamentary representation after their then legislators Abednico Bhebhe, Norman Mpofu and Njabuliso Mguni were expelled from Parliament.

Bhebhe, Mpofu and Mguni were expelled from Parliament by the Welshman Ncube-led MDC in 2009 on allegations of working with the MDC-T. Henry Dube said Mpopoma-Pelandaba should also not suffer lack of representation adding that the MDC-T should let the people of the constituency decide Nyathi’s fate.

“They should find other ways of disciplining Nyathi if he has committed a crime than to recall him,” he said.

“They should have consulted us on whether we still want Nyathi or not instead of imposing their decision on us.”

Evans Ndaba added: “I also support the MDC-T, but this is taking us for granted.

“We supported Nyathi through thick and thin and we will keep supporting him.”