High Court Judge Bars Saviour Kasukuwere from Contesting Zimbabwe's General Elections
High Court bars exiled Kasukuwere from contesting elections, says he is 'masquerading as a candidate.'
Harare, Zimbabwe - High Court Judge Justice David Mangota has ruled that exiled former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere is barred from contesting the scheduled general elections on August 23. Justice Mangota determined that Kasukuwere should stop "masquerading as a candidate”, writes Shorai Murwira.
The judgement, read on behalf of Justice Mangota by colleague Never Katiyo, upheld the arguments put forth by Lovedale Mangwana, a ZANU PF party youth who filed papers in court.
Mangwana argued that Kasukuwere had ceased to be a registered voter as he had been out of his constituency for over 18 consecutive months.
According to Mangwana, the Nomination Court violated the constitution by accepting Kasukuwere's nomination papers.
"The decision by the Nomination Court to accept Kasukuwere's nomination papers is in violation of the constitution of Zimbabwe. The 1st respondent has not been resident in any constituency in the Republic of Zimbabwe for a period in excess of 18 consecutive months, and his name cannot, by that circumstance, be retained on the voter's roll," Mangwana stated.
Saviour Kasukuwere fled the country following the November 2017 coup that toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Kasukuwere was among Mugabe's ministers who faced arrest soon after Mugabe lost power.