Confusion over expelled MDC-M legislators

But in a contradictory statement Clerk of Parliament Austin Zvoma said the Speaker had since written to President Robert Mugabe advising him of the vacancies in the three constituencies.
Last week the MDC formation threatened to lay corruption charges against the Speaker if he fails to formalize the suspension of MPs expelled from the party by Tuesday this week.
Moyo said he does not operate on ultimatums from political parties but as an institution, the Parliament of Zimbabwe was going to make a decision.
“We don’t respect or even recognise that ultimatum. We are an institution that works on its own processes and we are not moved by political party statements,” said Moyo.
He said the affected MPs will be notified of their fate after a decision has been made by Parliament on the way forward.
“The affected Mps are going to be informed of their fate after we have followed all our due processes in terms of this matter. I am not afraid of their corruption charges threat because everything that we are doing here is above board,” added Moyo.
The MDC-M last month expelled Nkayi South MP, Abednico Bhebhe, Lupane East’s Njabuliso Mguni and Norman Mpofu for Bulilima East over charges of indiscipline and disrespecting the party leadership.
After their dismissal, Ncube advised the Speaker of Parliament of the vacant seats to pave way for by-elections.
According to the country’s Electoral Act, a presidential proclamation should be gazetted within 14 days after Parliament has notified the President of a vacant seat to pave way for by-elections.
The three lawmakers have since petitioned the High Court to set aside the decision of the disciplinary committee, arguing that it was improperly constituted and that the hearing was flawed.
The MDC-M intends to use Section 4 of the Prevention of Corruption Act which criminalises “any act by a public officer which shows favour to a particular person on the basis of that public officer’s interests”.
MDC-M secretary general Welshman Ncube said the Speaker has continued to act in bad faith by protecting and perpetuating the tenure of the MDC-M’s expelled members in Parliament.