Lawmakers purportedly represent a group of women who have long voiced concerns about their underrepresentation in Parliament. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Rumors
swirling about the potential return of the 19 MPs expelled from Chadema have
sent shockwaves through the party, catching both the top brass and local
officials off guard.
What started as whispers has escalated into a
full-blown storm of speculation, leaving everyone from the national leadership
to grassroots members questioning the legitimacy of these claims.
The
unexpected nature of these reports has thrown the party into a state of
bewilderment, fueling debates and raising eyebrows across the political
spectrum.
Many
are left questioning how these MPs could be re-admitted. Adding to the
uncertainty are internal and external propaganda efforts aimed at convincing
party members and the public that prominent figures like Halima Mdee have
already returned to Chadema. Some claim that this process of re-admitting these
MPs has been orchestrated by certain party leaders.
However,
as it stands, the 19 MPs remain non-members of Chadema since their expulsion on
November 28, 2020. The party's Central Committee ratified this decision, which
was later endorsed by the National Executive Council on May 11, 2022, following
the rejection of their appeal against the expulsion.
The
Chadema constitution, in Article 6.5.4 of the 2019 edition, clearly outlines
the process for a former member, particularly those expelled, to rejoin the
party. According to the constitution, a member who was previously suspended or
expelled can apply for re-admission in writing through the level that expelled
them, stating the reasons for their desire to return.
The
application will then be reviewed at that level, and a decision will be made by
the next higher committee. For those expelled by the Central Committee, only
the National Executive Council has the authority to reinstate them. Members
expelled by the General Assembly cannot have their expulsion overturned by any
other body.
This
means that for the 19 MPs to return, they must individually or collectively
write letters to the Central Committee seeking re-admission to the party. The
final decision on their re-entry lies solely with the National Executive
Council, not with any individual leaders like Freeman Mbowe, Tundu Lissu, or
John Mnyika.
After
navigating this rigorous constitutional process, the Central Committee is
obligated to convene the National Executive Council or present this agenda
before the Council, which comprises 423 members. These members include all
Central Committee members, Regional Chairpersons, and Secretaries, among
others.
They are the ones responsible for making
decisions within the National Executive Council. If the issue of the 19 MPs'
return was indeed on the table, they would be the ones to deliberate on whether
to forgive or re-admit them into the party.
However,
what is surprising is that members of both the Central Committee and the
National Executive Council are themselves puzzled by these rumors, even going
so far as to ask grassroots members if the 19 MPs have indeed returned to
Chadema.
They seem to have forgotten that the final
decision regarding the expulsion of these 19 MPs was made by them, and if they
were to be re-admitted, it would again be their responsibility to decide or
reject their application.
Currently,
the 19 MPs have no unified stance or position regarding their political future.
They are divided and no longer maintain the solidarity they once had. Some MPs
have already decided to join CCM.
They
have publicly declared their allegiance to CCM, donned the party’s attire, and
participated in its meetings and events. Among them are Nusrat Hanje, Jessa
Kishoa, Esther Matiko, and Hawa Bananga. It is unlikely that these individuals
are considering or have ever considered returning to Chadema.
Another
group of MPs, who were listed among the 19 but are neither prominent nor hold
significant political influence, have merely taken advantage of the financial
benefits and have no further political ambitions. They neither owe politics
anything nor does politics owe them. A small number of MPs, no more than four,
desire to return to Chadema.
They
have maintained contact with some Chadema members and closely follow everything
related to the party. However, they have been hesitant to follow Chadema’s
procedures, such as resigning from their illegitimate parliamentary seats and
then seeking forgiveness from the National Executive Council, as required by
the party’s constitution.
The
Council would then decide whether to accept or reject their application or
impose conditions, such as reinstating them as members without leadership roles
for a certain period, depending on what the Council deems appropriate.
Given
this context, the claim made by some media outlets that Mdee and her colleagues
are on the verge of returning home to Chadema is questionable, especially since
they have not yet submitted any formal letters of apology or requests for
re-admission to the party.
Beyond
the internal party confusion and legal ambiguities, the government and
Parliament have incurred significant financial losses by continuing to pay
these 19 illegal MPs for over five years. With their status as MPs being
contested and ultimately deemed illegitimate by Chadema, the funds allocated
for their salaries, allowances, and other parliamentary privileges have been
squandered. These resources could have been directed towards more pressing
national needs, such as improving infrastructure, education, or healthcare.
The
prolonged tenure of these illegal MPs has also undermined public trust in the
legislative process, as citizens question the legitimacy of their
representation. The financial burden on the government is not merely about the
direct costs of maintaining these MPs but also about the broader implications
for governance and accountability. In an era where fiscal responsibility is
paramount, the continued payment of these illegal MPs reflects a significant
oversight that demands rectification.
