Judgment reserved

Harare Bureau
JUDGE President George Chiweshe has reserved judgment in the case in which the MDC-T is challenging the number of police officers who voted under the two-day special vote ahead of the July 31 harmonised elections. The special vote is meant meant for people, including civil servants and the uniformed forces, who will be away from their respective wards during the election.

MDC-T lawyer Advocate Lewis Uiriri briefed journalists that Justice Chiweshe was likely to rule on the case by end of business today.

“His Lordship has had arguments and has reserved judgment, which he has advised that it would be made available by end of day tomorrow,” Advocate Uriri said.

Adv Uriri was speaking in the presence of the Zimbabwe Commision Electoral lawyer Mr Charles Nyika and chief law officer from the Attorney Generals Office Mrs Fortune Chimbaru who represented the police. He added that he could not comment further saying it would be irresponsible and unlawful.

“Apart from that we do not wish to comment on matters in which his Lordship has reserved judgment because it will not only be unlawful, but reckless, irresponsible and dangerous . . .,” he said.

The MDC-T is seeking the High Court to nullify the special vote arguing that the number of voters for police officers was vastly inflated.
In their application the MDC-T was seeking the High Court to stop the special votes, alleging that the 69 000 police officers set to cast their vote ballots between Sunday and Monday exceeded the 44 113 shown on a Ministry of Finance salary schedule for the force.