MDC-A We Stopped Attempted Takeover Of HQ By Mwonzora-Khupe

By Staff Reporter
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48749
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May 08, 2020

The opposition MDC Alliance on Thursday said it foiled an attempted take-over of its Harare headquarters hours after it announced a boycott of parliamentary proceedings to protest against the dismissal of four of its legislators at the behest of a faction opposed to the party leadership.

On March 31, the country’s Supreme Court declared that Nelson Chamisa’s leadership of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance was illegitimate and ordered the party to hold an election to elect new leadership within three months.

A majority of MDC-A leaders have rallied behind Chamisa, arguing that the leadership issue was settled when the party held a congress in 2019 to choose a new executive.

But a faction opposed to Chamisa has been emboldened by the court ruling and this week asked parliament to eject four senior MDC-A members, all allies of Chamisa.

Dozens of police officers in riot gear arrived at the MDC-A offices in central Harare shortly before 7PM armed with a letter written by Douglas Mwonzora, the party’s former secretary general who says the court judgement has restored him to his former position with Thokozani Khupe as interim leader.

In it, he requested police help to take over the party HQ “in order to carry on the task of preparing for the extraordinary congress.” He stated that the offices were guarded by 15 to 20 youths who had “promised violence… threatened that there would be a bloodbath.”

MDC-A Secretary general Charlton Hwende said the police drove off after being challenged because they had no court order. “We have possession, occupation and title so they left. Harvest House is a revolutionary house, no-one can take that away from us,” Hwende said.

MDC-A treasurer general David Coltart wrote on Twitter that the building “is not owned by MDC-T”, the party of Mwonzora, “and the MDC Alliance is in lawful occupation of it.”

Earlier, the MDC-A said parliament, which is controlled by the ruling Zanu PF party, had taken sides in the fight to control the opposition. The party suspended participation in parliament while it consults members on its next move.

“For the avoidance of doubt this means that no MDC-A member shall attend any parliamentary committee or the sitting of parliament or any official business of parliament until such time as a decision is made,” the MDC-A said.

The four lawmakers’ dismissal should trigger a by-election but the new coronavirus outbreak makes this uncertain. The pandemic also makes it difficult for the MDC-A to organise protests. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF already has a majority in parliament and can pass legislation or even amend the constitution without any hindrance.

Chamisa, 42, narrowly lost the 2018 presidential election to Mnangagwa. He maintains Mnangagwa rigged the vote and does not recognise his presidency.

The MDC-A, which has split three times since its formation in 1999, frequently accuses Zanu PF of fanning divisions in its ranks. Zanu PF denies the charge.

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Mesothelioma Lawyer: How Legal Help Works After an Asbestos Cancer Diagnosis

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Mesothelioma Lawyer: Legal Help After an Asbestos Cancer Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis can turn a family’s life upside down. Medical appointments, treatment decisions, financial pressure, pain, and uncertainty can arrive all at once.

For many people, one major question comes up quickly: Was this caused by asbestos exposure, and can my family seek compensation?

A mesothelioma lawyer helps people diagnosed with mesothelioma investigate asbestos exposure, identify responsible companies, file legal claims, and pursue compensation through lawsuits, settlements, or asbestos trust funds.

Mesothelioma is strongly linked to asbestos exposure. The American Cancer Society says pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest and is the most common type, making up more than 8 out of 10 mesothelioma cases.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the lining of certain organs.

Types may include:

Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the lungs
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdomen
Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the heart
Testicular mesothelioma, which is very rare

The American Cancer Society says about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

The main known cause is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or swallowed. Over time, those fibers may irritate tissue and contribute to cancer development.

ATSDR explains that breathing asbestos can increase cancer risk, including mesothelioma, and that asbestos-related disease may appear many years after exposure.

Because mesothelioma can take decades to develop, many people were exposed years before diagnosis.

What Does a Mesothelioma Lawyer Do?

A mesothelioma lawyer may help with:

Investigating where asbestos exposure happened
Reviewing work history
Identifying asbestos-containing products
Finding responsible manufacturers or employers
Filing lawsuits
Filing asbestos trust fund claims
Gathering medical records
Working with exposure experts
Negotiating settlements
Protecting filing deadlines
Helping families after wrongful death

These cases are different from ordinary personal injury claims because exposure often happened decades ago.

Common Asbestos Exposure Locations

Mesothelioma lawyers often investigate exposure connected to:

Shipyards
Military service
Construction sites
Power plants
Oil refineries
Steel mills
Factories
Railroads
Auto repair shops
Boiler rooms
Schools and older public buildings
Insulation work
Pipefitting
Electrical work
Demolition and renovation work

Family members may also have been exposed through asbestos fibers carried home on workers’ clothing. The National Cancer Institute notes that family members of heavily exposed workers may face increased mesothelioma risk from fibers brought home on shoes, clothing, skin, and hair.

Why You Should Contact a Lawyer Quickly

Mesothelioma claims have legal deadlines called statutes of limitations. These deadlines vary by state and may be based on diagnosis date, death date, or other facts.

Waiting too long can limit legal options.

A lawyer can help determine:

Which state law applies
What deadline controls the case
Which companies may be responsible
Whether trust fund claims are available
Whether a lawsuit should be filed
Whether the family has wrongful death rights

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending on the facts, compensation may include:

Medical bills
Cancer treatment costs
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Travel for treatment
Home care
Caregiver costs
Funeral expenses
Wrongful death damages
Asbestos trust fund payments

The amount depends on exposure history, diagnosis, responsible companies, available evidence, and state law.

How Mesothelioma Lawyers Are Paid

Many mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee. That means they are paid a percentage of recovery if compensation is obtained.

Before hiring a lawyer, ask:

What percentage do you charge?
Are case costs deducted separately?
What happens if there is no recovery?
Do you handle asbestos trust fund claims?
Will I owe anything upfront?
Will I receive a written fee agreement?

Final Thoughts

A mesothelioma lawyer can help patients and families understand legal rights after an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis.

Because exposure may have happened decades earlier, these cases require experience, investigation, and access to asbestos product records.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, legal guidance can help protect your family’s options while you focus on medical care.