The Bulawayo High Court has granted Asakhe Online permission to live stream the election petition cases arising from the Nomination Court process.
On July 7, 2023, the Bulawayo-based online media company filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking permission to live stream cases that are pending before the court concerning challenges to the acceptance of nomination papers of various candidates in the Nomination Court.
The High Court Judge Justice Bongani Ndlovu then ruled that Asakhe Online’s application should be brought before the individual judges concerned in open court. Ncube Attorneys representing the media house stated that the primary objective of the application is the promotion of freedom of expression and access to information which is critical to Asakhe Online’s work.
It is further stated that the matters are of public interest. The matter was heard before Justice Ndlovu on Wednesday with Lawyers representing appellants from cases 1357 to 1368 and other respondents not opposing Asakhe Online’s request.
Justice Ndlovu granted the request partially, stating that the media house may only live stream the judgement and not the actual proceedings of the election petition cases.
Meanwhile, the case involving 12 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) National Assembly candidates whose nomination is being challenged by Zanu PF members who are arguing that they filed their nomination papers after the 4 pm deadline on June 21 has begun.
The CCC candidates are being represented by Professor Welshman Ncube and Advocate Thabani Mpofu.
Source CITE
