Chamisaâ€™s MDC Is Falling Apart

By Staff Reporter
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88228
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October 05, 2020

Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A), is imploding as the country's ruling Zanu-PF conspires with a tiny MDC splinter group, the Movement for Democratic Change Tsvangirai (MDC-T), to help it seize the much bigger party's parliamentary seats and other elected offices, headquarters and finances. Zanu-PF has also arrested several MDC-A leaders over the past few weeks and has now accused it of plotting an armed struggle.

The destruction of the MDC-A threatens to create a de facto one-party state in Zimbabwe - which is Zanu-PF's intention of course - some MDC-A leaders believe. With the help of "captured" - pro- Zanu-PF - judges and a Zanu-PF Speaker of Parliament, the MDC-A, led by Nelson Chamisa, has already lost about 30 members of Parliament, senators and many local government mayors and councillors to the tiny MDC-T, led by Thokozani Khupe.

Courts have also given Khupe's faction the MDC's six-storey headquarters in Harare and Z$7-million (about R321,000), which the party is entitled to from government coffers. Chamisa's MDC-A proved beyond doubt in the 2018 elections that it was the much more popular of the two MDC parties, trouncing Khupe's MDC-T, though being trounced itself in turn by Zanu-PF.

So by collaborating with Khupe's group to hijack the MDC-A, Zanu-PF is effectively neutralising any real opposition. This is the political reality. The legal reality is more complex.

It all began in February 2018 when Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC's founding president in 1999, dying of cancer, anointed Chamisa as his successor, even though the party's constitution said that Khupe, as vice-president, should have succeeded him. Khupe then broke away to form her own MDC-T.

With elections looming on 30 July, Chamisa formed an election alliance with Welshman Ncube's Movement for Democratic Change Ncube (MDC-N) party, with former MDC stalwart Tendai Biti's breakaway PDP and other smaller parties.

In the presidential election Chamisa was narrowly defeated by Emmerson Mnangagwa, winning 44,3% of the vote to his 50,8%. Khupe came a distant third with 3,42%. In the parliamentary elections, Zanu-PF won 179 seats, Chamisa's MDC-A 88 seats – with at least 2.2 million votes – and Khupe's MDC-T, just one directly elected seat, with about 45,000 votes.

After the election Chamisa's MDC, Ncube's MDC and Biti's PDP resolved to dissolve and merge into a new party. But then just weeks before the May 2019 MDC-A congress, the high court ruled that Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the party and ordered a congress of MDC-T to elect new leadership. MDC-A appealed the ruling.

Senator and former education minister David Coltart, a founder member of the original MDC, and now treasurer-general of the MDC-A, explains that under Zimbabwe's Political Parties Financing Act, MDC-A, because it had won more than 5% of the vote, was entitled to government financing proportional to its seats. In 2019, it got Z$5-million. Khupe's MDC-T got nothing as it had not reached the 5% threshold.

Two days into the Covid-19 lockdown in March, a "captured" Supreme Court judge overturned MDC-A's appeal and reinstated the original high court's orders. This had a disastrous cascading effect on MDC-A.

In July, MDC-T youth, assisted by the military, seized the MDC-A headquarters, the government refused to pay MDC-A the first 2020 tranche, of Z$7-million, of party political funding in March and Khupe's MDC-T was allowed to "recall" former MDC-T MPs now in the MDC-A, as well as councillors.

In addition, Coltart said about 15 MDC-A MPs had crossed the floor of their own accord to MDC-T to save their jobs and MDC-T was trying to induce others to jump ship too. "So now we don't have finances, our headquarters have been taken over and our MPs are being recalled," Coltart says. "It's had a huge impact on us."

The party had been unable to pay its officials' salaries until he created an online portal to crowdfund from MDC sympathisers around the world. "Khupe is working very closely with Zanu-PF on this. She is very close to Emmerson Mnangagwa and visits him on his farm." He said Zanu-PF had not orchestrated the whole thing but it had "appreciated the faultlines in the MDC" and so worked with Khupe's faction to weaken the party. The clash between the leadership of the two MDCs has angered some of their supporters.

On Sunday this week, a group of MDC youth occupied Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House. Though some reports have suggested they were members of MDC-A recapturing the headquarters, Coltart believes they are actually members of MDC-T – possibly in cahoots with some in MDC-A – who have become disgruntled with their own leaders, who they believe have collaborated with Zanu-PF for personal gain, and want them to settle the quarrel with MDC-A. But Coltart believes there is little appetite for doing that.

Is this a death blow to the MDC as a viable opposition?

Coltart recalled that in the 1980s, Zanu-PF under Robert Mugabe did much the same to Josh Nkomo's Zapu to create a de jure one-party state. "They can't do the same now because it wouldn't go down well in the SADC. Their intention clearly is to decimate us. Not to create a one-party state but to have an opposition which will do their bidding. It will still be a de facto one-party state."

On top of this, Zanu-PF is targeting its senior leadership with "spurious prosecutions" : MDC-A vice-presidents Biti and Lynette Kareni-Kore, as well as vice-chairman Job Sikhala, have been arrested and charged. Three female activists, including MP Joanna Mamombe, were abducted and sexually abused and assaulted. "This is a multifaceted strategy; cripple us, cut us off at the knees financially, take our headquarters building and then have a full go at our MPs.

"It's culminated in this astonishing threat on Tuesday night by the Minister of State Security Owen Ncube. He has now accused us of wanting to import arms and to wage an armed struggle. That's what they did against Zapu in 1981. This is the coup de grâce. We are expecting they will discover an arms cache and say it's ours so they can proscribe us. It's very sinister."

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DUI Lawyer Near Me: How to Choose the Right Attorney After a Drunk Driving Arrest

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DUI Lawyer Near Me: What to Do After a DUI Arrest

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A DUI arrest can affect your license, job, insurance rates, criminal record, and future. It can also move fast. You may have court dates, license deadlines, paperwork, and decisions to make before you fully understand what happened.

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That is why many people search for a DUI lawyer near me after being arrested for drunk driving or driving under the influence.

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A DUI lawyer helps you understand the charges, review the evidence, protect deadlines, and build a defense based on the facts of your case.

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DUI laws vary by state, so this article is general information only. You should speak with a licensed DUI attorney in your state for legal advice.

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What Does a DUI Lawyer Do?

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A DUI lawyer may help with:

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Reviewing the police stop
rnChecking whether the officer had legal grounds
rnReviewing field sobriety tests
rnAnalyzing breath test or blood test results
rnChallenging testing errors
rnRepresenting you in court
rnHandling license suspension hearings
rnNegotiating plea options
rnSeeking reduced penalties when available
rnPreparing for trial
rnExplaining ignition interlock requirements
rnHelping protect your driving privileges

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DUI cases are often technical. A lawyer may review body camera footage, breath machine records, police reports, chemical test procedures, and officer training.

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DUI vs. DWI: Is There a Difference?

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Different states use different terms.

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You may see:

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DUI: Driving Under the Influence
rnDWI: Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired
rnOWI: Operating While Intoxicated
rnOUI: Operating Under the Influence

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The exact meaning depends on the state. Some states use DUI and DWI differently, while others use one term for the main offense.

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Why DUI Charges Are Serious

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A DUI may create both criminal and administrative consequences.

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Possible consequences may include:

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Jail time
rnFines
rnCourt costs
rnProbation
rnLicense suspension
rnIgnition interlock device
rnAlcohol education classes
rnCommunity service
rnHigher car insurance
rnCriminal record
rnEmployment problems
rnProfessional license issues

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says alcohol-impaired driving is dangerous and helps states and communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers.

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How to Choose the Best DUI Lawyer

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1. Look for DUI Defense Experience

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Not every criminal defense lawyer focuses heavily on DUI. DUI defense often involves technical evidence, breath testing rules, traffic stop law, and administrative license procedures.

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Ask:

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How often do you handle DUI cases?
rnHave you handled cases in this court?
rnDo you challenge breath or blood test evidence?
rnDo you handle license hearings?
rnHave you taken DUI cases to trial?

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2. Ask About Local Court Experience

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Local experience can matter. A lawyer who regularly appears in the court where your case is filed may understand local procedures, prosecutors, judges, and diversion options.

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3. Review Communication Style

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You need an attorney who explains things clearly.

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A good lawyer should explain:

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What you are charged with
rnWhat penalties may apply
rnWhat deadlines matter
rnWhat evidence needs review
rnWhat your options may be
rnWhat the legal strategy could look like

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4. Understand the Fee

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DUI lawyers may charge flat fees, hourly fees, or staged fees.

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Ask:

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Is the fee flat or hourly?
rnDoes the fee include trial?
rnDoes it include license hearings?
rnAre expert witnesses extra?
rnAre court costs included?
rnIs payment plan available?

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Get the agreement in writing.

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What to Bring to a DUI Consultation

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Bring:

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Citation or ticket
rnBond paperwork
rnCourt date notice
rnLicense suspension notice
rnPolice report, if available
rnBreath or blood test paperwork
rnVideo evidence notice
rnWitness names
rnPrior DUI history, if any
rnVehicle impound paperwork
rnInsurance information

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The more complete your documents, the better an attorney can evaluate your situation.

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Common DUI Defense Issues

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A DUI lawyer may review questions such as:

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Was the traffic stop legal?
rnDid the officer have reasonable suspicion?
rnWere field sobriety tests properly explained?
rnWas the breath machine calibrated?
rnWas the blood draw handled correctly?
rnWas the test performed within required rules?
rnWas the driver actually impaired?
rnWere constitutional rights violated?
rnWere statements obtained properly?

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A defense depends on the facts. No lawyer can honestly promise dismissal before reviewing the evidence.

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Red Flags When Hiring a DUI Lawyer

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Be careful if someone:

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Guarantees dismissal
rnPromises no jail without reviewing facts
rnRefuses to discuss fees clearly
rnDoes not explain risks
rnPressures you to pay immediately
rnHas little DUI experience
rnWill not provide a written agreement
rnTells you the case is “easy” before reviewing evidence

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A serious DUI lawyer should be honest, not just comforting.

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Final Thoughts

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A DUI lawyer can help you understand your rights, protect deadlines, review evidence, and fight for the best available outcome based on the facts.

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If you were arrested for DUI, do not ignore court notices or license deadlines. Get organized, keep your paperwork, and speak with a qualified local DUI attorney as soon as possible.

Personal Injury Lawyer Questions Before Hiring

After an accident, choosing a personal injury lawyer can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with medical appointments, missed work, insurance calls, vehicle repairs, pain, and uncertainty about what happens next. A lawyer can help with claim strategy, evidence, deadlines, negotiations, and litigation, but not every attorney is the right fit for every case.

The first question is experience. Ask whether the attorney has handled cases similar to yours. A car accident case is different from a trucking accident, medical malpractice claim, workplace third-party claim, defective product case, or premises liability case. Similar case experience can help the lawyer understand evidence, expert witnesses, insurance tactics, and likely challenges.

Next, ask who will actually handle the file. In some firms, the lawyer you meet may not be the person managing daily communication. Paralegals, case managers, associates, and investigators may all be involved. That is normal, but you should know who your main contact will be and how often you will receive updates.

Fees are important. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning they are paid a percentage of the recovery if money is obtained. Ask what percentage applies, whether it changes if a lawsuit is filed, and how case expenses are handled. Expenses may include filing fees, medical records, depositions, expert witnesses, investigation, and trial exhibits. Ask whether expenses are deducted before or after the attorney fee and whether you owe expenses if there is no recovery.

Ask about the strength and weakness of your case. A trustworthy lawyer should not promise a guaranteed result. They should discuss liability, damages, insurance limits, prior injuries, medical documentation, comparative fault, witness issues, and possible defenses. If a lawyer only tells you what you want to hear, be cautious.

Evidence can determine the outcome of a claim. Ask what evidence should be gathered immediately. This may include accident reports, photographs, video footage, witness statements, medical records, employer wage records, vehicle data, inspection records, maintenance records, or property incident reports. Some evidence can disappear quickly, so early action matters.

Medical treatment is another key topic. Personal injury claims often depend on documented injuries, treatment consistency, diagnosis, prognosis, and how the injury affects daily life. Follow medical advice and keep records of appointments, prescriptions, therapy, restrictions, and out-of-pocket expenses. Do not exaggerate, but do not minimize symptoms either.

Ask how the attorney evaluates settlement offers. A settlement should consider medical bills, future care, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, permanent impairment, and other legally recognized damages. The exact rules vary by state and case type. The attorney should explain the factors, not just give a quick number.

Timeline is another area to discuss. Some claims settle in months, while others take much longer, especially if injuries are serious or liability is disputed. A lawyer may recommend waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement before settlement so future medical needs are clearer. Settling too early can be risky because you usually release claims permanently.

Communication expectations should be clear. Ask how quickly calls or emails are returned, whether the firm uses a client portal, and what updates you will receive. A good lawyer-client relationship requires trust, responsiveness, and organized documentation.

You should also ask whether the lawyer is prepared to file a lawsuit if necessary. Many cases settle, but the willingness and ability to litigate can affect negotiation leverage. Ask about trial experience, recent results, and how the firm prepares cases.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Personal injury laws, deadlines, damages, and fault rules vary by state. Speak with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction to understand your rights. The best lawyer for your case is someone with relevant experience, clear communication, transparent fees, and a realistic plan for proving your claim.