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What is important is to consult and analyse what this means to the cash-strapped Government,” he said.
MDC-T Senator for Zaka, Mr Misheck Marava, also asked Minister Chinamasa if the so-called outstanding issues would have been resolved when the next harmonised general elections are held.
Minister Chinamasa said it was the President’s prerogative to set the date for the elections.
The Supreme Court last week gave the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces up to August 30 this year to publish a notice ordering the by-election to fill in the three parliamentary posts in Nkayi South, Bulilima East and Lupane East constituencies.
The three seats fell vacant after MDC legislators Abednico Bhebhe, (Nkayi South) Njabulo Mguni (Bulilima East) and Norman Mpofu (Lupane East) were expelled from the party and subsequently relieved of their parliamentary positions.
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The three instituted a court action after declaring their interest to contest in the constituencies as independent candidates.
The Supreme Court’s full bench (Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, Justices Vernanda Ziyambi, Paddington Garwe, Anne-Mary Gowora and Yunus Omerjee) upheld the High Court’s decision.
Justice Nicholas Ndou in October last year directed the President to ensure the by-elections for the three vacant posts in Nkayi South, Bulilima East and Lupane East are held despite the financial challenges Government is facing.
The President, through Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Chinamasa, submitted in the High Court proceedings that there were more than three constituencies awaiting by-elections.
This, he argued, required US$38 million. In terms of Section 4(1)(e) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Clerk of Parliament notified the three that their membership had been terminated with effect from July 22, 2009.
The Speaker of Parliament notified the President of the development as required by the law on August 17 2009.
The President did not make the expected proclamation, prompting the trio to approach the higher court.
Bhebhe, Mguni and Mpofu were elected members of the House of Assembly in the 2008 general election under the MDC ticket and they fell out of favour with their party resulting in their expulsion in 2009.
Online Reporter