MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi has pleaded with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to “soften his heart” and allow the courts to release jailed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) member, Job Sikhala on bail.
Sikhala, who is a former Member of Parliament for St Mary’s and Zengeza West, has been in pretrial detention for over a year.
Speaking after visiting Sikhala at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison where he is incarcerated on Monday, Komichi said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe is a multi-party democracy which allows opposition parties. Opposition members must not be treated like murderers.
Mnangagwa must soften his heart and allow Sikhala to be granted bail so he can go through trial while coming from home.
I am appealing to Mnangagwa to show leadership and let Sikhala get bail.
</blockquote>
Sikhala was arrested in June 2022 together with 15 other CCC activists for allegedly inciting public violence.
All the other activists arrested together with Sikhala were granted bail.
In May 2023, Sikhala was found guilty of obstruction of justice. He is now on trial on additional charges of inciting violence and disorderly conduct.
The opposition has condemned Sikhala’s arrest and prolonged detention saying he is being persecuted for his political convictions.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Komichi Pleads With Mnangagwa To Allow Job Sikhala's Release From Prison

MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa to engage in dialogue and push for an inclusive government.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/inclusive-government-only-way-to-go-says-mdc-pushes-for-mnangagwa-chamisa-dialogue/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, Komichi said an inclusive government will unify the nation following the disputed 23 August elections. Said Komichi:
<blockquote>
For the purposes of unity, peace and love, ZANU PF’s Mnangagwa and the opposition’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Nelson Chamisa should have dialogue.
For the opposition, it would be unwise to throw away more than 1.9 million votes garnered by the largest opposition party in the just-ended harmonised elections.
It would also be unfortunate for Mnangagwa if he does not see reason for engagement.
It is therefore advisable for both to push for a government of inclusivity.
</blockquote>
In 2009, ZANU PF and the then main opposition party, MDC-T, formed an inclusive government that facilitated improvements in the economy, health and the provision of social services.
The drafting of a new constitution which was adopted in 2013 was one of the major achievements of the inclusive government.
However, Mnangagwa recently said he was not interested in appointing opposition members to the Cabinet.
He has already installed a 26-member Cabinet and also appointed his son and nephew as Deputy Ministers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa, Chamisa Should Push For An Inclusive Government - Komichi

MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi has warned that opposition political parties in Zimbabwe may suffer the heaviest defeat since independence in 1980, in upcoming general elections.
Kaomichi argued that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will likely win by a far much bigger margin than his predecessor, the late Robert Mugabe ever achieved.
He based his argument on a study by the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) titled “Electoral Impregnability of the rural constituency in Zimbabwe”.
Komichi argued that traditional leaders are now in charge of ZANU PF affairs at the local level, leaving the opposition with no room to make inroads, especially in rural areas. <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/https-www-newzimbabwe-com-komichi-claims-opposition-facing-worst-ever-defeat-in-upcoming-elections/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> quoted Komich as saying:
<blockquote>
Right now, the village chairman is the headman. Whilst we might think Mnangagwa was less popular than Mugabe, the results might be different in which Mnangagwa might actually win the best results ever in the history of this country.
We might actually face the worst opposition defeat. We are worse off than ever before. We can face disaster whilst people have high hopes.
</blockquote>
The research by the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) shows that:
<ul>
<li>76% of the respondents viewed rural constituencies as inaccessible to the opposition and CSOs to conduct electoral-related programmes.</li>
<li>82% of the respondents said traditional leaders were at the forefront of blocking opposition and CSOs from accessing rural constituencies.</li>
</ul>
The report also showed that commandeered voting, intimidation of opposition supporters, and the exclusion of opposition supporters from food handouts were rife in rural areas.
The majority of the 2 000 people from selected rural areas who were interviewed by ZDI researchers said the military was a major hindrance for the opposition to penetrate rural areas.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Komichi Warns Opposition Of Possible Worst-ever Defeat In Upcoming Elections

MDC Alliance Senator Morgen Komichi has said the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) should reform and stop corruption.
Komichi alleged that criminals are bribing police officers with as little as US$10 to escape from justice.
He made the remarks while contributing to the debate on the Police Amendment Bill in the Senate earlier this week. <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/police-under-spotlight-over-us10-bribes/">Business Times</a> quoted Komichi as saying:
<blockquote>
I believe that the Constitution tried its best to seek justice so the first thing is the removal of “Force” to “Service”. Indeed “force” was deployed by the police in the past.
The police were a power on their own. They were using force, whips and sometimes baton sticks to destroy the windscreens of kombis and others because they believed they were a force.
Now that they are going to be a service, they know that they are going to serve people and are subordinate to the people knowing that they were put by people who are in authority. So power lies with the people and that is important.
Indeed corruption is there even within the police force. When you give someone $10, then the case falls away. This is happening.
They were some youths that were arrested a few days ago and they gave the police $30 and were released.
This is what is happening. The law should really look into such issues which tarnish the police service.
It does not matter whether it was the “Force” but now that we are transforming the “Force” into a “Service” then we need to eliminate such.
</blockquote>

Police Under Spotlight Over "US$10 Bribes"

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Mthuli Ncube</a> has said the government tried its best to improve the salaries for civil servants.
Public sector workers want pay hikes and have<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/teacher-arrested-for-posting-whatsapp-message-complaining-about-poor-salaries/"> spent the past three years</a> <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/teacher-arrested-for-posting-whatsapp-message-complaining-about-poor-salaries/">calling on the government to pay them their pre-October 2018 United States dollar salaries of around US$540.</a>
Speaking recently in the Senate, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Midlands_Province">Midlands</a> senator <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Morgen_Komichi">Morgen Komichi</a> (<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/MDC_Alliance">MDC Alliance</a>) said civil servants were too underpaid that they could not embark on meaningful projects. He said:
<blockquote>
Civil servants’ salaries are too little and not sufficient for one to embark on a project, or even build a house. It is not enough even for food.
</blockquote>
In response, Ncube said the government had tried its best to improve the salaries of civil servants. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005558/mthuli-says-no-to-wage-increases-for-civil-servants">NewsDay</a> cites him as saying:
<blockquote>
Government really tried its best under the circumstances to improve the salaries for civil servants. We have not missed our bonus payments since 2018, and since then, I declared that bonuses will be paid as a 13th cheque every year except that we have changed a little bit for those who are in positions of director and above.
They will only be paid upon performance assessments which will take effect from January or February next year for their 2022 performance. That is when those bonuses will be honoured. The rest of the civil servants are being paid bonuses.
</blockquote>
Early this year, the government said it would consider increasing the US dollar component salaries of civil servants and also review their local currency component.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"Govt Really Tried Its Best To Improve The Salaries For Civil Servants" - Finance Minister Ncube

The opposition MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora has disputed remarks made over the weekend by its national chairperson, Morgen Komichi, who said the party will contest upcoming by-elections after boycotting all by-elections held after 26 March 2022.
Komichi told an online publication that the party had fielded representatives in all the vacant wards. He was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
This time around we are going to take part in the upcoming by-elections. We have already identified through consensus our candidates. We are urging Zimbabweans to vote for the MDC-T.
</blockquote>
However, in a statement released on Monday, MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube refuted Komichi’s comments saying the party’s position on by-elections has not changed. Dube said:
<blockquote>
The MDC’s position on by-elections remains that we will not be participating in any by-election until after our current restructuring exercise and congress preparations are completed.
A report by an online newspaper on the 31st of October 2022 suggesting that we will be participating in the upcoming by-elections is not the correct party position but simply statements attributable to our National Chairperson Morgen Komichi.
</blockquote>
Following the 26 March by-elections in which the MDC-T failed to win a single seat, the party’s leadership took a decision not to participate in any future by-elections.
Ten (10) local authority by-elections will be held on 3 December 2022. In Binga, the by-elections will be held in Wards 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 23 while in Gweru the elections are set for Wards 4, 5 and 18. In Victoria Falls, Ward 8 will have by-elections. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mdc-t-throws-komichi-under-the-bus-dismisses-his-statement-on-by-elections/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

We Have Not Changed Our Stance On By-elections - Mwonzora's MDC-T

Opposition MDC-Alliance chairperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Morgen_Komichi">Morgen Komichi</a> has said the government only needs confrontation, not dialogue, for it to respond to address national issues.
His remarks are in contradiction with those of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Douglas_Mwonzora">Douglas Mwonzora</a> who leads the MDC-Alliance party who believes that dialogue is the key to solving the prevailing crises.
Speaking on Alpha Media Holdings’ Heart and Soul television (HStv)’s current affairs programme at the weekend, Komichi said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government had shown a lack of desire to engage in meaningful dialogue with opposition party leaders. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200001093/komichi-mwonzora-differ-on-way-forward">NewsDay Zimbabwe</a> quotes him as saying:
<blockquote>
As we speak right now the government doesn’t want anything to do with dialoguing. People have talked about dialogue and the government has not been forthcoming, the government simply needs confrontation, the opposition people should just stand up and demand what the government should do. The moment you start putting issues of dialogue, the government laughs at you, because like now how can we, as Zimbabweans, allow the government to go for 10 years without implementing important parts of our Constitution like devolution?
</blockquote>
After he was voted the MDC-T president in 2020, Mwonzora met Mnangagwa at State House and gave him a dialogue proposal document, which suggested that by-elections must be put on hold in order to promote talks outside the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) platform. 
Mnangagwa ignored the proposal insisting that talks will only take place within the POLAD platform he initiated in 2019 for the 2018 presidential candidates to dialogue in an endeavour to address the socio-economic and political crises bedevilling Zimbabwe. 
Nelson Chamisa who now leads the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) refused to join POLAD saying it was meant to legitimise Mnangagwa’s rule.
Meanwhile, Komichi called on opposition forces to join hands and confront the government to force it to respect the country’s Constitution.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

"Government Simply Needs Confrontation, Not Dialogue" - Komichi

Harare senator, Morgen Komichi (MDC Alliance), has demanded an explanation from the government for its failure to operationalise provincial councillors elected in 2018.
The provincial councillors, elected through proportional representation, remain redundant in just less than a year before the expiry of their term of office in the absence of an enabling Act.
Speaking in the Senate on Thursday, Komichi demanded that the government act on the matter before their term of office expires next year. He said:
<blockquote>
At the moment, the law that is supposed to guide their operations, where has it ended because there are certain things that need to be put in place which is making it impossible to happen because of this problem?
We put them in those positions for a purpose in those provinces and nothing is happening. Are you saying their work is no longer necessary until their term is over?
</blockquote>
In response to Komichi’s concerns, Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Marian Chombo conceded that the Devolution Bill was long overdue. She said:
I would like to ask for forgiveness because the Bill is overdue.
<blockquote>
We have tried to ensure that those who have been elected get their dues in order for them to survive and that they are able to do their work. We have since finished everything and the Bill is at the Attorney-General’s Office.
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs told us that their office was overwhelmed by work because they have a huge backlog but he told us that they have been given permission to increase their staff complement in order to expedite such Bills.
I cannot tell you when exactly we can expect that Bill but we expect it to come sooner.
</blockquote>
Critics have accused ZANU PF of dragging its feet in implementing devolution because of its aversion to the concept. | <a href="https://cite.org.zw/govt-taken-to-task-over-idle-provincial-councillors/">CITE</a>

Komichi Demands Govt Action On Idle Provincial Councillors

MDC Alliance senator and MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi said that members of Parliament are living in abject poverty and it won’t be a surprise to see some of them “begging in the streets.”
Speaking to The NewsHawks this week, Komichi also lamented the salaries being earned by civil servants saying there is no hope anymore for Zimbabweans under a ZANU PF-led Government. Said Komichi:
<blockquote>
If you see an MP’s payslip, you will cry. It will not be surprising to see MPs begging in the streets.
Their salaries and allowances are just as good as that of a teacher; there is nothing.
Look at all civil servants, look at the soldiers, the police and all, it shows there is no capacity by this government to sustain its citizens. There is no hope anymore.
The (black market) rate is now ZW$360 and how can civil servants survive, how can people survive?
They have failed to run this country, people are angry and starving.
</blockquote>
Komichi said the only way to solve the country’s economic challenges is by having an all-inclusive dialogue rather than a winner-take-all approach.
Teachers embarked on strike action when the first term commenced in February, demanding the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries pegged at US$540.
The Government rejected the request and instead, offered its workers a paltry pay rise which still falls far below the Poverty Datum Line.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/mps-reduced-to-beggars/">The NewsHawks</a></h4>

MPs Reduced To Beggars - Komichi

MDC-T national chairperson Morgen Komichi said that he has no clue as to why his party performed dismally in the 26 March by-elections.
The MDC-T, which contested the elections as the MDC Alliance, failed to win a single parliamentary seat from the 28 that were contested.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa won 19 seats while the ruling ZANU PF won all the remaining seats.
In leaked audio in which he is speaking to a person only identified as Mukucha, who is apparently a member of the MDC-T, Komichi said:
<blockquote>
The truth of the matter is that the people rejected MDC, to them MDC is no longer a party, MDC is just a puppet of ZANU.
Even if you add the votes won by MDC and ZANU in areas that were won by CCC, our combined votes are less than those garnered by CCC.
</blockquote>
Listen to the audio of the leaked conversation below, courtesy of Heart &amp; Soul Television:
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t-M4RWzV1_w?feature=oembed" title="Komichi says MDC T is dead- leaked conversation" width="640"></iframe></div>

<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

LISTEN: I Don't Know Why People Rejected Us - Komichi

The opposition ZANU Ndonga has failed to mobilise its supporters for the MDC Alliance rally scheduled for Zimbabwe Grounds in Harare.
ZANU Ndonga, which is a member of the MDC Alliance coalition which is led by MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora, was supposed to receive some of the funds allocated under political parties grant to mobilise its supporters for the rally.
ZANU Ndonga Manicaland Province Youth Information Secretary Stanley Mutambwa said the party’s Secretary-General Farai Mudzingwa was left stranded and “homeless” in Harare after he failed to get the promised funds from Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House.
Mutambwa said MDC’T’s leadership and Treasurer General Tapiwa Mashakada had promised that they would make the payment last week but this had not materialised by Saturday. Added Mutambwa:
<blockquote>
On the 2nd of March 22022, a resolution was made that all Alliance partners use their allocated grant to mobilize their supporters and members for the Alliance National Peace Star Rally to be held on Sunday the 13th of March at Zimbabwe Grounds.
Now the Treasurer-General of MDC-T Hon Mashakada is not even answering our calls yet he is fully aware of the fact that we have people waiting to attend our Peace Rally tomorrow.
Our S.G ended up approaching MDC-T National Chairman Senator Morgen Komichi who gave him $1 500 EcoCash and told him to go back home to Chimanimani.
What an insult! $1 500 EcoCash is not enough to go to Chimanimani. Zanu-Ndonga is appealing to President Mwonzora to stop playing games with Alliance partners.
How are we going to transport our members and supporters to tomorrow’s rally?
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNpNlU-X0AEJVWa?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
</blockquote>
Mutambwa said MDC-T asked the ZANU Ndonga Secretary-General to borrow money so that he could travel to Bulawayo for Mwonzora’s rally, promising to reimburse the funds.
He said instead of reimbursing the money, which it has not yet done, the MDC-T is now questioning Mudzingwa’s legitimacy and whether ZANU Ndonga is with the MDC Alliance or with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

ZANU Ndonga Fails To Mobilise Supporters For Mwonzora's Rally

MDC-T senator, Morgen Komichi, has criticised Cabinet ministers who bunk Parliament’s question and answer sessions suggesting that the behaviour shows a lack of respect.
The National Assembly holds its question time on Wednesdays while the Senate holds its own on Thursdays.
However, ministers have been skirting questions from MPs and Senators, prompting the members to push for the session’s adjournment or its complete cancellation from parliament’s calendar. Komichi said last Thursday when just four ministers turned up:
<blockquote>
This is quite pathetic and very unfortunate for the people of Zimbabwe. This is one of the serious abuses which the senate can endure. A few days ago, they could just absent themselves without giving any reason.
After the Senate had made a vehement complaint against their behaviour, they have now found a solution and the solution is to simply send an apology. Can these ministers give apologies on Tuesday when there is cabinet, the answer is no because it is planned from the schedule of the year that every Tuesday they go to cabinet.
This means a lot as far as the value and importance of Senate is concerned. This means a lot when we look at ourselves and say why are we here, what are we doing yet the people outside there, the taxpayers and ordinary people expect us to oversee Government activities but here today we have only four ministers. This is quite unfortunate and we have complained for a long time about this behaviour.
</blockquote>
On Wednesday, Norton legislator (independent), Temba Mliswa, rose on a point of order to have the Q and A session adjourned the same four ministers had turned up.
The four Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, Industry and Commerce minister Sekai Nzenza, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, only came after deputy speaker Tsitsi Gezi had called them on their cell phones.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/truant-ministers-cripple-parly/">NewZimbabwe</a>

If Ministers Can't Miss Cabinet, They Must Not Miss Parliament - Komichi

Morgen Komichi has said for the opposition to be able to win the hearts of many and defeat the ruling party, they need to unite forces.
Komichi who recently contested to become the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/12/30/just-in-komichi-dumps-khupe-supports-mwonzora/">MDC T President and got 9 votes</a> took to Twitter to register his thoughts on the issue of a unified opposition and said:
<blockquote>An Opposition United Front is the only option for Zimbabwe. Time is running out. Genuine Electoral and Political Reforms can be achieved by a well organized and United Platform of Zimbabweans. An inclusive stakeholder approach must be considered.</blockquote>
People who responded to his tweet accused him of destroying the organ that had been put in place by veteran MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Komichi is part of the people that left the MDC Alliance and joined MDC T after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Thokozani Khupe in March 2020.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/MKomichi/status/1350522441639096325">Morgen Komichi Twitter </a>

An Opposition United Front Is The Only Option For Zimbabwe - Komichi

Morgen Komichi while dispelling the widespread belief that their court resurrected MDC 2014 Structures were not in any way sponsored by the ruling party Zanu PF said their conflict is with the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and they are an independent party, The Standard reports.
Debunking the widespread belief that they were being sponsored by the ruling party, Komichi said:
<blockquote>As MDC, we are independent, we are not working with Zanu PF. This is our conflict with Chamisa; it is an internal issue emanating from succession which has already been resolved by the court. We are now focusing on how we can bring order to the party so that we can confront Zanu PF in 2023.</blockquote>
Komichi also debunked the revenge recalls tags going around as the outfit he runs with Thokozai Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora has so far recalled over 84 councillors countrywide and 31 legislators and said:
<blockquote>We are not recalling people as a practice; we recall when a member ceases to belong to our party.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, an MDC insider told the same publication that the ruling party and the MDC T were crafting a plan that will<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/04/a-zanu-pf-sponsored-plan-to-block-chamisa-from-contesting-in-2023-being-crafted-right-now-mdc-t-insiders/"> block Chamisa from contesting in the 2023 elections by increasing</a> the presidential candidate age to 50:
<blockquote>…Then in 2022, Zanu PF and the MDC-T MPs will make constitutional amendments to peg the presidential candidates’ minimal age at 50 in order to disqualify Chamisa</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2020/10/04/inside-the-plot-against-chamisa/">The Standard </a>

Our Conflict Is With Chamisa - Komichi Dispels Zanu PF Affiliation Tags

A video of court resurrected MDC T 2014 structures Vice Chairman Morgen Komichi in which he mocks Thokozani Khupe has surfaced. In the undated video which might have been taken in 2018 before the elections, Komichi says as translated by Nehanda Radio:
<blockquote>Morgan Tsvangirai left us with the MDC Alliance after he realised that there would be problems. Now rebellious Thokozani Khupe has taken the MDC-T. The letter “T” represents her. Leave her alone because it’s a bogus party. Tsvangirai had to unite Biti, Ncube, Mutambara, Ngarivhume and Zanu Ndonga to form the existing MDC Alliance. It was not going to be easy to fight Zanu PF in Court if we did not have the alliance,”</blockquote>
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 202px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="360" id="video-182553-1" preload="metadata" width="202"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ditch-Khupe-Komichi-2018.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ditch-Khupe-Komichi-2018.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ditch-Khupe-Komichi-2018.mp4</a></video></div>
Over the weekend Komichi said the party led by Khupe will go to the elections as MDC Alliance and not as the MDC T. MDC Alliance is a party led by the youthful politician Nelson Chamisa.
Source:<a href="https://twitter.com/violetgonda/status/1308388832765792258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1308388832765792258%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnehandaradio.com%2F2020%2F09%2F23%2Fwatch-komichi-lashing-out-at-khupe-for-trying-to-grab-mdc-t-name%2F"> Violet Gonda Twitter </a>

A Blast From The Past : "The T In MDC T Stands For Thokozani, Ditch Her, Tsvangirayi Gave Us MDC Alliance" - Komichi

MDC-T acting chairperson Morgen Komichi has said his party will triumph over the MDC Alliance in the upcoming December Council by-elections.
Komichi made the remarks during an interview with Open Council on Tuesday following the recall of MDC Alliance councillors including Marondera, Beitbridge and Gwanda Mayors by the Thokozani Khupe-led party.
The Harare Senator said MDC-T party structures were already on the ground leading the door to door campaign ahead of the by-elections.
The recall of MDC Alliance councillors in Harare and Beitbridge may result in Central Government stepping in and appointing commissions to run the councils.
Khupe has already recalled over 20 Parliamentarians and more than 30 councillors across the country for choosing to remain loyal to MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
Since the formation of the MDC in 1999, urban councils have been dominated by opposition councillors.
<h4>More: <a href="http://harare.opencouncil.co.zw/2020/09/16/chamisa-will-get-a-beating-in-december-by-elections-komichi/?fbclid=IwAR1duXASjQ6hxZZcwwOiJd5bOsTftJdDx0IJGxiCLc4XfrVtpNV4lSMYwnk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open Council</a></h4>

Komichi Confident Of MDC-T Victory In Upcoming By-elections

MDC T leader Thokozani Khupe, a usual regular at the President’s Political Actor’s Dialogue (POLAD) was yesterday absent from the POLAD meeting at the statehouse yesterday. Her absence raised questions if she snubbed the event after her Supreme Court assisted ascension to the MDC T throne where she is claiming to be the president of the MDC Alliance, New Zimbabwe reports.
Khupe’s spokesperson said Khupe was absent because they are preparing for the court-sanctioned extraordinary congress:
<blockquote>As you know, we are preparing for our extraordinary congress, and we need all the time to finish the preparation and putting everything in order.</blockquote>
However, a source that spoke to the publication said she didn’t attend because she would have breached MDC T’s party’s position:
<blockquote>If she attends, she will have breached the MDC Tsvangirai party’s position because we are not part of POLAD and we have never been part of it.
The MDC Tsvangirai has not resolved its position on POLAD and we are not even talking about it because it’s not on the party’s priority list. We have so many issues to talk about as a party that need urgent attention than POLAD.</blockquote>
Morgen Komichi also said MDC T is not part of POLAD:
<blockquote>What we know is that we (MDC-T) are not a member of POLAD and Khupe has not been mandated to represent the party. That issue will have to be considered after the extraordinary congress if there is a need to do so.</blockquote>
Khupe dissolved her party when she became the interim MDC T President.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/khupe-in-no-show-at-eds-polad-meeting-as-mdc-t-demands-pullout/">New Zimbabwe </a>

Khupe Snubbed ED's POLAD Meeting Because The MDC T Party Is Not Part Of POLAD - Report

The faction of the MDC that is led by Thoozani Khupe has made fresh threats that it will recall MDC Alliance MPs after it emerged MPs are still attending MDC Alliance caucus meetings.
Morgen Komichi who is the 2014 structures Deputy Chairperson said his camp was running out of patience. Speaking at their newly obtained offices at the Harvest House, Morgen Komichi said Chamisa’s MPs should come and join them now:
<blockquote>Of course there is a saying that puppies do not see light on the same day, but there comes when you conclude that this is now blindness; that these puppies will never get their sight because it has been long.
It has been exactly 80 days since the Supreme Court ruling and we have been patient with the MPs, but we cannot be patient forever.They must come and join us now.
They must make their choice between us and Chamisa. If they decide to go with Chamisa, the law will take its course. This is a very strong statement I am making. They must know that their days are numbered whether one is an MP or councillor,</blockquote>
The fisures were ignited by the supreme court ruling that ruled that Chamisa was an illegitimate MDC leader and restored the party to its 2014 structures.
More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/thokozani-khupe-threatens-to-axe-more-mps/">Daily News </a>

Puppies Do Not See Light On The Same Day, We Cant Be Patient Forever - Komichi Threatens To Recall Chamisa's MPs

MDC-T acting president Thokozani Khupe’s spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni said she has not withdrawn from the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD).
Phugeni’s remarks come after reinstated party chairman Morgen Komichi told a local daily publication that Khupe must withdraw her membership from POLAD and wait for the outcome of the extraordinary congress. Said Phugeni:
<blockquote>Never and Dr Khupe has only one spokesperson who is Khaliphani Phugeni. Our position has not changed and in the event that it does, Dr Khupe or her spokesman will communicate.</blockquote>
Earlier this week, Komichi was quoted as having said that the reconstituted MDC-T had not mandated Khupe to represent the party at POLAD and the issue will be considered after the extra-ordinary congress.
The MDC Alliance, whose 2018 presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa polled over 2 million votes (over 40 per cent of the total votes cast), refused to be part of the dialogue, calling it a charade.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/khupe-vows-will-not-dump-polad-heads-for-clash-with-new-found-allies/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Khupe, Komichi Headed For Clash Over POLAD

MDC-T deputy chairperson Morgen Komichi claimed that party supporters across the country are keen on attending the pending extra-ordinary congress (EOC) to choose the opposition party’s substantive executive.
Komichi however, refused to reveal the position he is aiming for, saying it was up to God and the people to decide for him. He said:
<blockquote>In Gwanda, people are phoning me, in Binga, they are also calling me. They are committing themselves to come, they are prepared even to sell their goats and cattle to come and attend this congress.
They are prepared to come and sleep outside for the sake of this congress. Some people are saying to me ‘Morgan Tsvangirai has risen from the dead’. They are saying our party is back on track.
… It is up to God and the people to decide the position they want for me. That question is, therefore, really difficult for me to answer, it is up to the people.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s close confidant, Jameson Timba said his party is not worried about “small boy” Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC-T secretary-general.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/05/khupe-faces-mdc-t-ouster/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

God And The People Will Decide - Komichi

Alex Magaisa a former advisor to MDC’s founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai has said that Thokozani Khupe is faced with an almost impossible task both in terms of the law and in practice to implement the Supreme Court ruling which reinstated her as the leader of the opposition MDC.
In his Big Saturday Read, Magaisa who is a law lecturer in the United Kingdom said:
<blockquote>At law, an Extraordinary Congress must be convened in cooperation with other organs of the party. Key organs include the National Council and the provincial structures. These organs and the Congress itself must constitute a quorum (minimum number of members) for their meetings and decisions to be valid. A two-thirds majority of members is the quorum for a Congress. As eloquently explained by Professor Welshman Ncube in an <a data-content="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXrvJlEbUo" data-type="external" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXrvJlEbUo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">interview</a> during the week, it is the National Council that sends the notice of an Extraordinary Congress to the provincial structures. These are the minimum legal requirements which those raising the banner of constitutionalism cannot ignore. </blockquote>
He notes that since the Supreme Court did not extend the terms of office of the organs that were present in 2014, Khupe or Morgan Komichi, at law, cannot hold a Congress.
More:<a href="https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/04/11/Big-Saturday-Read-Political-dynamics-of-the-MDC-conflict"> Alex Mgisa, Big Saturday Read</a>

"Almost Impossible In Terms Of Law And In Practice For Khupe To Implement Supreme Court Ruling," - Magaisa

An invoice circulating on social media has suggested that Morgen Komichi, an official in the opposition MDC sought speech writing and exercise services from Big Brains before the Supreme Court Judgement was announced.
For some including Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent Zimbabwean journalist, Komichi and colleagues were aware that the ruling was in their favour.
Chin’ono said:
<blockquote>Good afternoon Mr Komichi <a class="link-complex" data-user-name="MKomichi" href="https://twitter.com/MKomichi/" rel="noopener user noreferrer" target="_blank">@MKomichi</a>. Could you explain why you needed speech writing and exercise before the Supreme Court Judgement was announced? Who had informed you that it was in your favour? Meanwhile you haven’t paid for the services sir according to this letter of demand</blockquote>
See the invoice below.
<blockquote>
Senator M. Komichi 
Dear Sir 
RE: INVOICE NO. 218 
Reference is made to the above-mentioned Invoice which relates to the speech writing, political strategy and press rehearsal services rendered to you on the 30th of March 2020. 
We hope that you are happy with our services whose outcome clearly achieve your objectives as outlined in your service requisition form. We, however, note with concern that despite your undertaking to effect payment of the said services on or before the 1st of April 2020, you have not paid the same and are now ignoring our calls. Your delay to effect this payment also affect third parties like our assigned staff members whom we pay on commission on a job to job basis. 
We hope that you will appreciate the sacrifice and risk they took to attend to you during this lockdown period. In the interest of fulfilling our obligations to our commission-based staff, we write to remind that you attend to payment of the said amount before Monday the 75 of April 2020. 
Regards 
[Signature] 
L. Mujokoro 
(Head of Accounts and Finance Department) 
+263 718 753 321</blockquote>
<img alt="" class="media-img" data-maxheight="594" data-maxwidth="356" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EUr--F_WsAAYshJ?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/>

Komichi Reminded To Pay For Speech Writing & Exercise Services Sought Before Supreme Court Ruling Was Announced

Former MDC vice president Morgen Komichi has assured MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa that he will live to a ripe old age if he respects the party’s Constitution.
Komichi made the remarks in the wake of a Tuesday Supreme Court ruling which invalidated Chamisa’s MDC presidency.
Komichi, who was Chamisa’s chief election agent in the 2018 presidential election, guaranteed Chamisa that he has high chances of winning the MDC top post at the envisaged extraordinary congress as he is popular. Said Komichi:
<blockquote>I call upon Honourable Nelson Chamisa to accept the court ruling and participate in the election processes.
He may actually win who knows. He is a popular guy why should he be afraid? He should actually shame the devil and he will live a long life if he respects the constitution and people will support him so much.</blockquote>
However, some commentators posit that Komichi is bitter after Chamisa did not offer him protection at the 2019 congress which saw him losing his bid for one of the vice-presidential posts.
Other analysts are of the view that Komichi is unaware that he is being used by ZANU PF to destroy the MDC or at worst, his hands were greased by the ruling party to destroy the opposition.
<h4>More:<a href="https://www.openparly.co.zw/if-you-want-a-long-life-follow-the-constitution-komichi-tells-chamisa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Openparly</a></h4>

Komichi Assures Chamisa Of Long Life If He Observes Court Ruling

Morgan Tsvangirai’s vice president, Morgen Komichi has called upon Nelson Chamisa to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court which settled the leadership in the opposition MDC.
The ruling simultaneously reduced Chamisa to a Secretary for Policy and Research and reinstated Thokozani Khupe as the party leader, on an interim basis until the next congress.
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The lawsuit challenged Chamisa’s ascendancy to power in 2018 which is said to have been in violation of the party’s constitution.
Komichi who is believed to have played a crucial role in Chamisa’s ascendancy has revealed that he never supported the violation of the constitution adding he only supported Chamisa because he was the best way forward. He said:
<blockquote>
I call upon Honourable <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Chamisa">Nelson Chamisa</a> to accept the court ruling and participate in the election processes.
He may actually win who knows. He is a popular guy why should he be afraid? He should actual shame the devil and he will live a long life if he respects the constitution and people will support him so much.
</blockquote>
Like Douglas Mwonzora, Komichi who is a long-standing loyal figure to the late Tsvangirai,claims that he fruitlessly tried toconvince the party and Chamisa to adhere to the party’s constitution.
More: <a href="https://www.openparly.co.zw/if-you-want-a-long-life-follow-the-constitution-komichi-tells-chamisa/">Open Parly</a>
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"Chamisa May Actually Win At The Congress," - Komichi Urges Chamisa To Accept Supreme Court Ruling

Morgen Komichi has been reminded that at some point he said that the ‘T’ in MDC-T stood for Thokozani.
Thokozani was in reference to Dr Thokozani Khupe the leader of the opposition MDC-T which was formed in 2018 at the height of intra-party fights for the stewardship of the MDC.
Leaders of the MDC-T adopted the moniker “MDC-T” that was a moniker developed to distinguish the Tsvangirayi faction from that of Welshman Ncube/Arthur Mutambara when the MDC split.
When Khupe adopted it in 2018, it was a strategy to make supporters see she was leading the legitimate faction that was formed by the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
A video clip in which Komichi made the remarks is circulated when the former MDC vice president quickly endorsed the Supreme Court ruling which restored Khupe as the legitimate leader of the party.
Watch the video below for more.
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<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="368" id="video-157411-1" preload="metadata" width="208"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MORGEN-KOMICHI-SAYS-T-ON-MDC-T-IS-FOR-THOKOZANI.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MORGEN-KOMICHI-SAYS-T-ON-MDC-T-IS-FOR-THOKOZANI.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MORGEN-KOMICHI-SAYS-T-ON-MDC-T-IS-FOR-THOKOZANI.mp4</a></video></div>

FLASHBACK: Morgen Komichi Saying 'T' In MDC-T Stands For Thokozani

MDC deputy president Morgen Komichi says he will approach the High Court and appeal against his conviction and sentence.
This comes after Komichi was fined $200 for disrupting electoral proceedings during the announcement of presidential election results.  Komichi’s lawyer Obey Shava of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said he will lodge an appeal at the High Court. He said Komichi’s conviction will not affect his political career and future electoral participation even if he does not appeal his sentence.
More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/03/18/komichi-to-appeal-against-conviction">Daily News</a>

Morgen Komichi To Appeal Against Conviction

MDC Vice President Morgen Komichi was today convicted for contravening section 186 of the Electoral Act. Komichi was fined $200.
The MDC senator was arrested in August 2018 for allegedly interrupting Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) proceedings and declaring that the results were fake.

Morgen Komichi Convicted, Fined $200

MDC co-deputy president Morgen Komichi was on Friday set to appear before the Harare magistrates court for judgement.
Komichi is facing charges of violating section 186 of the Electoral Act by going to the podium and disrupting the announcement of the Presidential election result. Section 186 of the Electoral Act criminalises interrupting, obstructing or disturbing proceedings related to the announcement of election results.
A statement issued by MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume reads as follows:
<blockquote>MDC Deputy President Sen Morgan Komichi will today at 1500hrs appear at Harare Magistrate Courts for a judgment on trumped up charges.
Sen Komichi is being persecuted for declaring that ZEC results were fake despite the fact that the results he questioned were officially altered 3 times by ZEC against the law which requires that such an act be done by a competent court of law.
The MDC calls for its supporters to stand in solidarity with Sen Komichi, in fact, what is at stake is the ability to challenge electoral fraud whenever it happens.
It is democracy on trial and a judgment against free and fair elections.
<h4>MDC: Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe</h4>
<h4>Jacob Mafume 
MDC National Spokesperson</h4>
</blockquote>
<h4>Related:</h4>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title">
<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/01/23/govt-should-as-well-arrest-the-pope-and-bishop-of-canterbury-for-violent-protests-komichi/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Govt Should As Well Arrest The Pope And Bishop Of Canterbury For Violent Protests – Komichi</a></h4>
</li>
<li class="entry-title">
<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/02/07/zec-was-okay-before-chief-elections-fraudster-priscilla-chigumba-came-mdc-vice-president/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZEC Was Okay Before ‘Election Fraudster’ Priscilla Chigumba Came – MDC Vice President</a></h4>
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Komichi Facing Trumped Up charges - MDC

MDC co-vice president Morgen Komichi says the is a need for the country to solve the issue of legitimacy as well as institute security sector reforms.
Komichi was addressing politicians, civic leaders, among other delegates to a conference organised by SIVIO Institute (SI) International Summit in Harare on Thursday. Some of the points raised by Komichi are as follows:
<ul>
<li>We need to solve the legitimacy issue, security sector reforms, we must identify the real problem, the military had a say in elections. Make a simple mistake on the streets the military will be on you, we are a military state.</li>
<li>The leadership in my party want a genuine dialogue that will benefit the people of Zimbabwe</li>
<li>Zimbabwe crisis cannot be solved through the courts. It requires everyone coming to the table, the GNU left the people outside but this time everyone must be involved</li>
<li>Dialogue has never been genuine, the Unity Accord was about the one-party state not about people.</li>
<li>Elections in Zimbabwe have been used to oppress people and every time after elections there is the talk of dialogue because the ruling party would want to achieve legitimacy.</li>
<li>We have been trying to achieve peace, freedom and economic growth, so the question is: have those things achieved, the question is why are we embarking on things that don’t produce anything?</li>
<li>Nelson Chamisa is in charge of MDC Alliance and the Standing Committee that he leads agrees with the need to solve the Zimbabwean crisis, we don’t know whether it’s the same situation at shake shake building.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Read Also:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/sivio-conference-to-assess-govt-performance/">SIVIO Conference To Assess Govt Performance</a></h4>
</li>
</ul>

MDC Against 'Unity Accord' Kind Of Dialogue - Komichi

MDC co-vice president Morgen Komichi on Wednesday characterised the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba as an election fraudster. Komichi said that even the other ZEC commissioners were shocked by the election results which Chigumba announced.
Komichi further alleged that he was in constant communication with other ZEC officials such as acting chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana. He claimed that Chigumba was in another room where she fixed election results with the help of “boys”.
Komichi said this while leading evidence during cross-examination by his lawyer Obey Shava. He said:
<blockquote>Our relationship with Zec had been okay in the past despite not approving their figures. We have been working well as chief election agents of MDC with the former Zec elections officer Lovemore Sekeramayi, Justice George Chiweshe, Justice Rita Makarau and Silaigwana.
When we had a problem, we would come to Zec and if we found them in a meeting, they would adjourn the meeting and attend to us in the past. We had a relationship of brothers.
But things started to change when Chigumba took over. She would tell us she is busy, especially to us MDC members. Even other commissioners like Silaigwana who were apprising us of the developments during the announcement of the results did not know the programme of events.</blockquote>
Komichi is facing charges of violating section 186 of the Electoral Act by going to the podium and disrupting the announcement of the Presidential election result. Section 186 of the Electoral Act criminalises interrupting, obstructing or disturbing proceedings related to the announcement of election results.
<h4>Related:</h4>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title">
<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/01/08/zec-official-absolves-mdc-vp-komichi-of-interrupting-announcement-of-presidential-election-results/">ZEC Official Absolves MDC VP, Komichi Of Interrupting Announcement Of Presidential Election Results</a></h4>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/02/chigumba-is-chief-election-fraudster-komichi/">Newsday</a></h4>

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