Hwende, other recalled MPs to lose diplomatic passports

FORMER Kuwadzana Member of Parliament, Chalton Hwende and other fellow expelled MDC Alliance legislators are set to lose their diplomatic passports following their recall by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T party from Parliament.

Hwende was advised of the development by the Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda in a letter written to him on August 31.

“Following your recall from Parliament in accordance with Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, you are therefore kindly requested to submit your diplomatic passport to the Registrar-General’s office and retrieve your ordinary passport in accordance with the attendant conditions attached during the issuance of the document,” Chokuda said in a letter.

The move by Parliament is also going to affect 12 other MDC Alliance legislators who were recently recalled by Khupe.

Among other MPs who are set to lose their diplomatic passports are Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura), Thabitha Khumalo (proportional representation), Senator Lillian Timveos (Midlands), Amos Chibaya (Mkoba), Murisi Zwizwai (Harare Central) and Happymore Chidziva (Highfield West).

The recalled MPs are also set to lose their government-issued vehicles if they fail to pay the loans within the stipulated timeframe.

Khupe recalled the legislators after the Supreme Court ruling in April declared that the appointments of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents of MDC-T by the late Morrgan Tsvangirai were unconstitutional and invalid.

Since the nullification of those appointments, the party was ordered to revert to the 2014 structures and hold a congress to select a new executive to lead it.