President proclaims Norton by-election

Harare Bureau
President Mugabe yesterday proclaimed October 22 as the date for the by-election in Norton, after the seat fell vacant following the expulsion of Mr Christopher Mutsvangwa from Zanu-PF. The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces made the announcement in a Statutory Instrument of a Government Gazettepublished yesterday.

The Nomination Court is expected to sit on September 6 in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province, to receive nominations and if more than one candidate is duly nominated, polling will proceed on October 22.

In the notice, President Mugabe said Norton constituency became vacant in terms of Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe by reason of a legislator having ceased to belong to a political party which he was a member of when elected to Parliament.

In terms of Section 39(2) of the Electoral Act, said President Mugabe in the notice, he is required to issue a proclamation ordering a new election in terms of Section 38.

He said the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, had duly notified him of the existence of the vacancy.

Mr Mutsvangwa was expelled from Parliament last month after Zanu-PF notified Adv Mudenda of its decision to fire him in terms of Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution.

Mr Mutsvangwa’s expulsion came after the politburo upheld recommendations by Zanu-PF disciplinary Appeals and Review committee of the Central Committee chaired by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko to fire the outspoken politician.

Parliament has since expelled former Chimanimani West MP Mr Munacho Mutezo from the Chamber after Zanu-PF wrote to Adv Mudenda that he was no longer a member of the revolutionary party.

This was after it emerged that Mr Mutezo was unrepentant after he continued associating himself with Zimbabwe People First led by deposed former Vice-President Ms Joice Mujuru.