Mangoma, colleagues defy expulsion

defiantPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
EXPELLED MDC-T deputy treasurer-general, Elton Mangoma and three other party executives have vowed to ignore the party’s national council decision to fire them, saying the action was null and void.Mangoma was expelled from the party on Thursday together with national executive member Last Maengahama, youth secretary general Promise Mkhwananzi and Jacob Mafume who previously worked as a director in the MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s office.
The four were expelled for insubordination and violating the party’s constitution.

Mafume, who is also Mangoma’s lawyer and spokesman for the anti-Tsvangirai lobby, yesterday said they had not been informed about the expulsions and described the move as ludicrous.

“This is ridiculous. We have not been told that we have been expelled from the party. We only saw it in the Press. We will, however, continue with our duties as usual because the expulsions are null and void,” said Mafume.

“It is clear that proper procedures were not followed. If they wish to expel us, they should go back to the constitution and follow procedures.”

Mangoma, who is accused of leading a group of party members pushing for Tsvangirai’s ouster was suspended two months ago for breaching four sections of the party constitution but was fired on Thursday.

Mafume maintained that there was nothing wrong with Mangoma calling for Tsvangirai to step down as the party leader. “There is nothing wrong with Mangoma calling for Tsvangirai to relinquish his position. It is a legitimate issue in any party. People simply do not understand the concept of democracy,” said Mafume.

Mangoma wrote two letters to Tsvangirai intimating that he had failed to lead the party and should pass the baton to a new leader.
Mangoma is believed to be a front for the party’s secretary general, Tendai Biti, who is said to be angling to succeed Tsvangirai.

Biti previously said Mangoma’s suspension was a nullity and the latest decision to expel his allies could provoke a forceful response from him, edging the party closer to a split.

Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora, who on Thursday said the party gave Mangoma and his accomplices a few days to write a convincing report for the party rescind its decision, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

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