By Staff Writer
THE SUPREME Court Thursday ruled against the ploy to bar 12 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidates from contesting in the forthcoming elections.
The bench chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena set aside Ndlovu’s ruling stating that full reasons will be made later.
“This is the unanimous decision of the court. After carefully considering SEB 59/23.
“The appeals be and are hereby allowed with costs.
“The judgment of the court a quo be set aside.
“The application is hereby dismissed with costs.
“The reasons for the decision will be availed in due course.”
The twelve’s candidature was nullified after the High Court ruled that they had submitted their nomination papers after the 4 pm deadline on June 21.
CCC lawyer, Adv Thabani Mpofu, during the hearing session, argued that the decision by the High Court was not merited.
Mpofu appealed to the Supreme Court to dismiss the High Court’s decision saying there was clear evidence from ZEC which admitted that CCC members had filed their nomination papers on time.
“They were in court before 4pm and the challengers are relying on social media hearsay,” Mpofu said.
The 12 CCC’s representative said the decision by the High Court puts the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in unnecessary disrepute.
Last week, in a ruling delivered on his behalf by Justice Nokuthula Moyo, Bongani Ndlovu upheld a challenge by Zanu PF activists, who argued that ZEC breached electoral regulations after the body accepted opposition parties’ nomination papers after the deadline.
The ruling saw three Zanu PF candidates win seats unopposed in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo Central and Bulawayo South.
In nine other constituencies, Zanu PF was left facing smaller opposition parties and independents.
