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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
Convicted former MDC-Alliance councillor Frank Chitembwe’s bid to contest the Zimbabwe Election Commission’s (ZEC) decision to hold a by-election in Mutasa Ward 10 after he lost the seat following his incarceration on criminal charges failed after the High Court dismissed his appeal.
Chitembwe had appealed against ZEC’s decision, arguing that he had also approached the High Court challenging the decision to convict and sentence him over public violence charges.
He believed that he had prospects of succeeding in his appeal at the High Court.
Chitembwe was jailed for two years after being found guilty of participating in the January riots organised by his party and other civic organisations.
He is currently out of custody on bail pending his appeal.
Mutare High Court judge Justice Isaac Muzenda dismissed his application, saying he had wrongfully cited the respondents in the matter.
Justice Muzenda said Chitembwe should have cited Mutasa Rural District Council, not the chief executive.
Rose Tanyaradzwa Mukodza (MDC-Alliance), Tafadzwa Justin Chirimo (NCA) and Zanu-PF’s Cde Margret Tindirika will battle it out in the by-election set for May 11.
Zanu-PF has since intensified rallies in the ward, with the ruling party’s national chairperson and Minister of Defence Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri bemoaning lack of development since the opposition took control of the seat.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said this while addressing party supporters at St Peters Jombe Secondary School and at Musere Business Centre in Mutasa over the weekend.
She urged people to vote for Cde Tindirika, saying Zanu-PF was the only party known for bringing development to people.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said a number of projects that include road rehabilitation, bridge construction and borehole drilling had been lined up.
Online Reporter