Zimbabwe opposition MP dies

Zimbabwe opposition MP dies

• Supreme Court shoots down POSA challenge

• Pauper's burial for MDC man killed 3yrs ago

• Judge upholds Mutasa victory despite violence

• Gift Nyandoro: MDC suffers ideological confusion

• Minister's tears as terror campaign revealed

• Zimbabwe MP arrested....for walking

• Elliot Pfebve: Tribute to Makuwaza and Efurida

• Witness faints at Gasela poll petition hearing

• Warrant of arrest out for MDC MP

• Tsvangirai's long walk to work

• Morgan Tsvangirai: MDC, six years on

• MDC elections director Makuwaza dies

• Mugabe militias hold MP hostage

• Zimbabwe MP, seven others arrested

• Charred remains of MDC men sound in Jo'burg

• Slain MDC man's body arrives in Zim

• Tsvangirai, Ncube to defuse SA tensions

• Man dead in MDC South Africa clashes

• MDC fights for survival as splits widen

• William T Bango: About time Zimbabweans took a reality check

• New Zimbabwe.com Says: Tsvangirai blows chance to heal rifts

• Misihairabwi out in shadow cabinet reshuffle

By Lebo Nkatazo

ZIMBABWE'S opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has had its parliamentary party reduced following the death of Budiriro MP, Gilbert Shoko on Thursday night.

The MDC now has 40 MPs in Parliament following Shoko's death.

The MDC is currently going through deep internal divisions with two factions vying for control of the party.

Shoko was a member of Morgan Tsvangirai's faction which has been battling for parliamentary control against another faction now led by former university student leader, Arthur Mutambara, which enjoys the support of at least 23 MPs.

Innocent Gonese, the MDC Member of Parliament for Mutare Central confirmed the MP's death but could not state the cause of death.

He said: “I have been notified of the MP’s death."

A statement released by the MDC later described Shoko as a "founder member of the MDC".

The statement, signed by another MP Wilias Madzimure added: "Honourable Shoko was a committed revolutionary who wanted to see genuine change in Zimbabwe. For more than two decades, Shoko campaigned vigorously for the upliftment of the conditions of service of domestic workers in his capacity as the General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Domestic and Allied Workers Union."

The MDC said Shoko was initially admitted at the West End Clinic early this week, before being transferred to the Avenues Clinic where he died on Thursday evening.

He was born on 11 December 1962. He had a diploma in Individual Labour Law, Collective Labour Law, International and Comparative Labour Law and Advocacy skills.

He is survived by his wife and five children.

Shoko was the MDC’s legislator for the volatile constituency since 2000.

In 2005 he beat Zanu PF’s candidate David Makufa after polling 17 053 against the latter’s 4 886. In 2000 he polled 21 058 against Zanu PF’s 4 410.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com