MDC expels 5 senior members
2005-12-18 21:44
Special Report
A classical music presenter for the BBC has been arrested and is in custody in Zimbabwe.
Harare - Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has suspended five senior members of his party, deepening serious splits in the party, a spokesperson said on Sunday.
Nelson Chamisa, the spokesperson for Tsvangirai's faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said a disciplinary committee decided on Saturday to suspend five senior party officials, including secretary general Welshman Ncube and the party's president, Gibson Sibanda.
"Each of them had the right to defend themselves, which they gave up," Chamisa said.
He said Ncube and his deputy, Gift Chamanikire were suspended for two years, while party treasurer Fletcher Dulini-Ncube and MDC lawmaker Trudy Stevenson were each suspended for a year.
Sibanda, who was suspended for a year will be able have his case reviewed at the national congress next February, said Chamisa. The others have the right to appeal against their suspension before the party's national council.
The five are key members of a faction of the MDC that supported participation in last month's senate elections.
The party has been seriously divided over the issue. Tsvangirai had called for a boycott of the poll.
- SAPA