Will MDC-T Suspend Former Lawmaker Ian Kay for 5 Years?
An MDC disciplinary committee has ruled that former Marondera Central lawmaker Ian Kay must be suspended from the party for five years for leadership renewal remark
HARARE — The Movement for Democratic Change’s Mashonaland East provincial executive on Wednesday formally approached the party’s Standing Committee asking it endorse its decision to suspend former Marondera Central lawmaker, Ian Kay, for suggesting that party leader Morgan Tsvangirai be replaced following the MDC’s heavy defeat to Zanu-PF in the disputed July 31 elections. Provincial spokesperson, Graham Nyahada, told Studio 7 that Kay was found guilty of flouting party regulations by a six-member disciplinary committee led by deputy provincial chairman, Albert Kapfunde. The committee the committee ruled that Kay must be suspended from the party for five years. Nyahada said the provincial executive fully supports the disciplinary committee’s verdict and Wednesday wrote to the Standing Committee asking it to endorse the ruling. Nyahada said the province expects the Standing Committee to deal with matter next week. He added that as far as the province is concerned, Mr. Tsvangirai will lead the party until the next congress where delegates will change the leadership is they so wish. Kay was quoted in the local media as likening the MDC-T election scenario to a soccer game where the coach must be changed if the team kept losing, apparently referring to Tsvangirai, who lost to President Robert Mugabe in the last three elections. Nyahada said the statement is confusing party members in the province. Kay confirmed he appeared before the provincial disciplinary committee and that the provincial executive had written to the party head office asking for his suspension. Although Nyahada said Kay had been given a copy of the letter, the former lawmaker told VOA Studio 7 he had not received any letter at the time of going on air. He said he would not be distracted by the latest actions against him saying he will continue working for the party. Although Nyahada said Kay had been given a copy of the letter, he said he had not received any letter from the province. The Standing Committee can uphold or overturn the provincial disciplinary committee’s decision.