Self-proclaimed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu has filed an urgent High Court application seeking to bar recalled CCC representatives who successfully filed their papers to contest in the December 9 by-elections.
Tshabangu through his lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri argued that the recalled CCC members had ceased to be members of the CCC and could not represent the same party in the by-elections.
“We can confirm that the application is being filed, remember that these people were recalled by the CCC. They challenged their recall in the High Court, the High Court upheld their recall. As a result, we know for a fact that they ceased to be members of parliament on account of their recall by CCC,” said Advocate Uriri.
“They then proceeded to file nomination papers under CCC, the very same party that had recalled them. Our law knows no such absurdity. The party that recalled them did not sign their nomination papers, they were improperly nominated and we will be seeking that they be expunged from the list of those who nominated such that they would not be on the ballot paper.
The application is targeted at all the recalled CCC Parliament, Senate and Council candidates who had successfully filed their nomination papers during the seating of the Nomination Court on November 7.
CCC Lawyer Obey Shava said he was yet to receive the court papers.
“I am going to look for the court papers and see the basis of their application only then will I be in a position to formulate an opinion after consulting my client,” said Shava.
Recently, Tshabangu recalled 13 more CCC MPs and five senators before a High Court interdict blocking further expulsions of elected opposition members.
Also recalled was the Kwekwe Mayor Henry Madzorera, his deputy Melody Chingarande and Councillor Simon Machisvo.
In Chinhoyi Municipality, he recalled five CCC councillors including former mayor and Ward 12 Councillor, Dyke Makumbi.
This is before the Nelson Chamisa led party was granted a High Court interim interdict barring further recalls after the CCC sued Tshabangu seeking to bar him from recalling more party representatives.
The case started on Monday and will continue on Tuesday afternoon.
