adminMDC-T and MDC led by Ncube, include cases of suspended councillors who failed to file their nomination papers due to pending cases as well as matters of aspiring candidates whose applications failed after their names could not be found on the voters’ roll.
Other appellants were disqualified for being under-age, among other reasons.
MDC-T dominated the court roll in Harare with several cases in which the party was fighting its former members who successfully filed nomination papers using a logo that they feel closely resemble the party’s logo.
By yesterday afternoon, 16 cases had been completed in Harare where nine appeals were thrown out. Five appeals were upheld while two others cases were withdrawn. The Electoral Court was still dealing with seven other matters.
The matters were spread among 16 judges while the three judges in Bulawayo worked together to clear the 24 matters in one day. Deputy Minister of Local Government Rural and Urban Development Sessel Zvidzai challenged the decision by the Nomination Court to accept papers from his opponent in Gweru Central National Assembly Constituency Tadius Chimombe who used a logo that “closely resembled” that of MDC-T.
Chimombe is a former party member who registered to contest as an independent candidate in the same constituency. Justice Chinembiri Bhunu yesterday threw out the appeal on the basis that it was filed out of time. Chimombe was also cited in another case by MDC-T that was dismissed by the same judge of Friday.
The party was contesting the same issue of the logo and it sought an order barring Chimombe and five other councillors in Gweru from using the logo that had similarities to that of the party.
The same judge threw out the party’s application on the basis that Section 46(19) (b) of the Electoral Act that the party relied on in filing the appeal was only meant for appeals by individuals and not political parties.
Joshua Matope, who aspired to stand as a councillor in Ward 27 of Mutoko South, had his appeal dismissed.
Matope was disqualified on the grounds that he had not reached 21 years, the required age to contest as a councillor.
Justice Uchena dismissed the appeal.
Justice Mary-Zimba Dube also threw out another appeal by Innocent Ncube and Farai Chonzi of Hwange East after the court noted that the duo’s appeal papers were defective.
Foster Marimo and Cecilia Dube of Mberengwa East were granted orders to have their papers accepted and to stand as candidates in the council elections.
Supended Ruwa Local Board chairperson (MDC-T) Pineas Mushayawanhu also got the green light to contest as a councillor in the coming election.
His papers had been thrown out on the basis of the suspension imposed on him by Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo. Justice Mangota granted his appeal.
An aspiring House of Assembly candidate for Chitungwiza North Onismo Ishendibaba, Isaac Mhasvi of Goromonzi West, Disinary Chipo Chirenje of Redcliff had their appeals thrown out.
Online Reporter