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By Kundai Marunya
Following his landslide victory in chaotic polls over rivals Thokozani Khupe, Morgen Komichi and Elias Mudzuri – newly elected MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora has taken over the party headquarters, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House.
A shrewd strategist, Mwonzora is now at the helm of opposition politics, outwitting his former ally Nelson Chamisa, who commands a huge following but was also forced out of the headquarters and simultaneously stripped of party assets.
When Nhau visited MRT House Tuesday, scores of youthful Mwonzora loyalists-cum-security could be seen milling around the entrance while regularly checking any vehicles or people that seemed to have stopped for a longer period than “necessary”.
One middle-aged man had to be dragged away from the party office while being threatened with beatings after “security” suspected him of being a spy.
“Go and tell whoever sent you that we are not tolerating nonsense here, the headquarters is safely in our hands,” one of the youths could be heard shouting.
A huge banner written Douglas Mwonzora, MDC President could be seen hanging at the front entrance. Since her defeat, Khupe has ceased conducting party business at MRT House, operating from an unknown venue.
Yesterday, she had to postpone a Press conference which was supposed to be held at Mudzuri’s house in fear of attacks from Mwonzora’s loyalists.
Police had to called in to protect participants from attacks, and to formally dismiss members of the media who had gathered for the media briefing.
“We have information that supporters loyal to Mwonzora want to violently disrupt the Press conference as they do not want the world to know the truth,” an official was quoted saying.
“So we have rescheduled the Press conference to tomorrow at another venue. We fear the same people who violently removed the acting president Khupe and Senator Morgen Komichi from the extraordinary congress venue may come and do the same. Police were here to inquire if everyone here is safe following a tip off.”
Khupe, who on Sunday walked away from the EOC midway in protest over allegations of electoral irregularities, had to run for dear life after angry supporters loyal to Mwonzora bayed for her blood.
Videos circulating on social media show Khupe being slapped as she tried to exit the EOC venue.
At the Press conference, which was postponed to Tuesday, only to be indefinitely moved further, Khupe was expected to denounce outcomes of the EOC that elevated Mwonzora to power.
Khupe is also expected to recall Mwonzora from Parliament and suspend him from the party.
Legal expert Thabani Mpofu said Khupe still has power to make decisions for the MDC-T.
“In terms of the MDC-T constitution, congress, including an EOC is only quorate if it has two thirds of delegates entitled to vote at congress. That translates to something above 4000 delegates,” said Mpofu.
“If a quorum is not realised, the meeting proceeds subject to ratification of all decisions by an EOC. It is doubtful whether an EOC can be ratified by another EOC. That’s a point to be debated by lawyers in court
“Whatever EOC is called must itself be quorate. Effectively therefore, business transacted at an inquorate congress is not valid unless and until ratified. In this case, things remain as they have been.”
The recently held MDC-T EOC did not constitute a quorum.
“During this period, the Acting President can exercise her powers, such as summarily suspending an SG. They call it dog eat dog,” said Mpofu.
“You’ve both prepared a dose of poison, unfortunately one must now taste it. It is, however, clear that we are in a season of illegalities. The court given extension expired on the 30th Nov. An order of court cannot be varied by parties, not even by consent – CFU v Mhuriro.” Nhau/Indaba
