A Zanu PF official has filed an urgent High Court challenge seeking to stop former minister Saviour Kasukuwere from contesting in the presidential election set for August 23.
Lovedale Mangwana, a Zanu PF youth league member, through his lawyers V Nyemba and Associates, alleges that Kasukuwere is not a registered voter because he has not been a resident in the country over a specific period of time as provided for in the Constitution.
Mangwana says Kasukuwere has been away from the country for more than 18 consecutive months, therefore is not eligible to contest for presidency.
“(Kasukuwere) is not a registered voter in that: (a) he has not been resident in any constituency in the Republic of Zimbabwe for a period in excess of 18 consecutive months, and (b) his name cannot, by that circumstance, be retained on the voter’s roll,” read the application.
“In the applicant’s view, this period per se means that by operation of law as enacted by section 23 (3) of the Electoral Act, first respondent (Kasukuwere) has ceased to be a registered voter. Applicant (Mangwana) further contends that not being a registered voter, and in his reading of provisions of section 91 (1) (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the first respondent does not qualify to be a candidate for election to the office of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.”
Mangwana noted that given this view, he is puzzled that the Nomination Court which sat on June 21, 2023, accepted Kasukuwere’s nomination paper and is now a recognized presidential candidate.
The application cites that he seeks a declaration to the effect that this decision of the Nomination Court is a violation of section 91 (1) (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe as read together with paragraph 1 (2) of the Fourth Schedule thereto and as further read together with section 23 (3) of the Electoral Act.
He wants the decision declared to be a violation of his constitutional rights as set out in section 67 (1) (a) and 67 (3) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. He also wants an order to the effect that first Kasukuwere should not be a candidate for election to the office of President of Zimbabwe in the 23 August 2023 elections.
Taking to Twitter, Kasukuwere dismissed the court challenge boldly stating that he was pressing ahead with his bid.
“They are now running to the High Court! Zvarema and we are marching on. No retreat no surrender! Pound for Pound,” he responded.
Let Kasuwere exercise his right