The High Court has delivered a verdict that bars independent presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere from contesting the upcoming general elections.The court ruled that Kasukuwere had violated both the constitution and the electoral act, rendering him ineligible to run for office.
The decision came after ZANU PF activist and lawyer Lovedale Mangwana filed an application to prevent Kasukuwere from running, citing his prolonged absence from Zimbabwe.
Legal Battle Erupts as ZANU PF Activist Seeks to Stop Kasukuwere’s Run for President
Mangwana argued that Kasukuwere had been living outside the country for more than 18 months, which automatically disqualified him as a registered voter in his constituency.
In his application, Mangwana stated,
“The 1st respondent (Kasukuwere) 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.”
Nomination Court’s Decision
Mangwana further contended that the nomination court had erred in accepting Kasukuwere’s candidacy papers, as his extended absence from the country and constituency meant that he had ceased to be a registered voter.This decision, according to Mangwana, was a direct violation of the Constitution.
“(a) the decision of the Nomination Court sitting at Harare on 22 June 2023 to accept first respondent as duly nominated as a candidate for election to the office of President of the Republic of Zimbabwe in the general elections set to be held on 23 August 2023 is a violation of provisions of section 91 (1) (c) and (d) as read together with paragraph 1 (2) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013 as read further together with section 23 (3)of the Electoral Act, and…”
Kasukuwere, who has been in self-imposed exile in South Africa since 2017, had registered as an independent presidential candidate for Zimbabwe’s upcoming election. However, this recent ruling has dashed his hopes of participating in the race.
Source iHarare
