Former MDC-T National Chairperson, Abednico Bhebhe has refuted claims that he was re-admitted into the opposition MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora.
Bhebhe was expelled from the party shortly before the party’s chaotic Extraordinary congress (EOC) held in December last year. Abedinico Bhebhe issued the statement below.
RESPONSE TO THE STATEMENT ON MR ABEDNICO BHEBHE’S PURPORTED RE-ADMISSION TO MDC-T
Fellow Comrades, Members of our Principled Party and the public in general, allow me to express my humble appreciation for all the support and encouragement you have continued to give me. I really appreciate it and sincerely grateful.
Following an MDC-T press release (06/02/2021) and the import of its content, I have felt it necessary to respond and clarify on certain perceptions created by that statement either deliberately or inadvertently.
Under normal circumstances, I would not be addressing such matters through the media but since like all readers I also learnt of the purported re-admission through the press, it leaves me with no other option but to respond in kind.
For the benefit of all, the cardinal rule for any re-admission of an expelled member, as provided for in the party constitution is for that concerned member to make an appeal in the next congress.
For the record, I did not appeal and had no intention whatsoever to appeal to the EOC because of its chaotic and shambolic nature.
The supposed resolution to re-admit me in MDC-T as an ordinary party member is not only a violation of the party constitution, unless of course if the said gathering amended that clause as well, but more concerning is the devious portrayal as well as battering my character as if am a desperate politician seeking someone’s benevolence.
That is unacceptable and should 600 10 unchallenged. Here are some basic facts that expose the infantile attempt to manipulate information for self-serving purposes:
1) It is on public record that I was expelled from the party for my incessant calls to all MDC leaders to take advantage of the Supreme Court judgment to settle our differences and unite against the common enemy. My plea resonated with most of our members. On a unifying crusade, I successfully contested and resoundingly won the first round of nominations in Bulawayo for presidency. Immediately I was summarily suspended and thereafter expelled.
2) I stated very clearly in an interview with Newsday (07/04/2020), that I would not be comfortable to be the organising secretary of a divided MDC. If the leadership could not find each other then I was not going to participate in EOC since that would be playing into the hands of ZAN U PF.
3) Approximately three-quarters of the 2014 delegates were stopped from participating in the EOC just because they were backing my candidature.
4) The party constitution was flagrantly violated and Douglas Mworaora’s leadership is disputed because of the serious irregularities that accompanied the shameful elections. Irregularities that could have been avoided particularly by those masquerading as democrats. Not only was the voters’ roll shambolic but there was no quorum for the EOC which was characterised by violence among many other shortcomings.
5) I approached the High Court to challenge my suspension and subsequent expulsion which paved the way for other contestants to hold the EOC without my participation.
That deprived me of my administrative and constitutional rights while it gave unfair advantage to Mr Douglas Mwonzora to contest for the highest party office having eliminated the participation of the main challenger whose victory was beyond doubt.
6) My constitutional rights were put under siege by the very National Council and I immediately lost the opportunity to contest for the presidency. What has changed NOW that I would renege on my pursuit of Justice and submit to it rigged leadership?
In view of the aforementioned points, I want to make it categorically clear that I do not recognize the outcome of the 27Th December 2020 EOC and hence the so-called National Council has no legal mandate to readmit to what I do not even recognize.
As far as I am concerned the EOC elections were not conducted and hence the amendment of the constitution illegitimate.
My position is that the party must sit down and elect an interim leader pending it proper EOC, where every willing member is given a chance to vote or contest for the presidency.
Hon Abednico Bhebhe 9/02/2021