By Staff Reporter

THE opposition MDC-T party has expelled several members who defied an order to withdraw from contesting in the July 30 elections as independent Candidates.

The ‘rebels’ had successfully submitted their papers at the Nomination Court.

In a recent interview, MDC-T Chamisa national chairperson Morgan Komichi said the rebels have been expelled for defying the party’s constitution.    

“We gave them a lawful instruction to withdraw but some refused to do so,” he said.

“So, following the party’s constitution the members who defied the instructions have been expelled from the party.”

Commenting on whether the expulsions would weaken the party ahead of the crucial vote, Komichi said voters would need to know their party candidates.

“Some of them chose to stand as independent candidates using party logo and, in some instances, it looks like we have filed two candidates,” he admitted.

Prominent among those who have been expelled are Harare West legislator Jessie Majome and Simon Chidakwa who is the sitting Member of Parliament for Zengeza West constituency.

Majome withdrew from the party’s primary election against Joana Mamombe citing irregularities in the process which she said disfranchised her, favouring the newcomer.

Meanwhile, the ruling Zanu PF party’s Midlands province has also expelled four members who decided to stand as Independent National Assembly candidates.

Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Mackenzie Ncube confirmed the development, saying the party had failed to find common ground with the members.

The four are Tsikadzashe Nemato (Gokwe Kana), Johannes Marise (Gokwe Mafungautsi), Jossinia Maupa (Kwekwe Central) and Dorothy Mhangami (Gokwe Central).

“We were left with no option, but to generate an expulsion letter after we tried to engage them to no avail,” he said.

“We engaged Mhangami, but she remained adamant that she wanted to stand as an independent, so our options were limited on that one.”