Chamisa to challenge Zanu PF uncontested win in 5 ...

Chamisa to challenge Zanu PF uncontested win in 5 wards

Zim Now Writer

The Citizens Coalition for Change faction led by Nelson Chamisa is set to challenge the High Court judgement that disqualified its candidates for the upcoming by-elections scheduled for February 3, 2024.

This comes after the High Court disqualified Musingashari Musingashari (Chiredzi Town Council, Ward 6), former Mayor, Roger Chikonye (Chiredzi Town Council, Ward 7), Samuel Gwenzi (Harare Municipality Ward 5), Ian Makone (Harare Municipality, Ward 18), and Innocent Kuziva Haparari (Manyame RDC) from contesting as CCC candidates.

Aspiring Members of Parliament, including Amos Chibaya and Gift Ostallos Siziba, were also barred from using the party name after disputed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu lodged an application against their membership.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on Tuesday announced that the five council seats had been won by Zanu PF uncontested.

CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi, however, said there is still room for the party to challenge the High Court ruling.

“Citizens Coalition for Change wishes to inform members of the public that the statement by the Zimbabwe Election Commission alleging that our candidates have been barred and therefore Zanu PF candidates have been duly elected following the high court ruling of the 19th of January 2024 are false, inaccurate, misleading and premature,” he said.

“We are still well within the stipulated timeline to lodge our appeal with the Supreme Court as provided for by the law.

“We are going to lodge the appeal within the stipulated time frame, and our candidates, voters, supporters, and members of the public are advised to forge on with their campaigns and preparations as planned and scheduled.

“We urge the Zimbabwe Election Commission to endeavour to acquit itself with the highest level of professionalism, independence, and objectivity. We do not expect the electoral management body to recklessly jump-the-gun in matters of such national significance as this further diminishes ZEC’s already questioned standing as credible arbiter in national electoral contestations-a point already belaboured by the opposition, civil society and all electoral observer missions that participated in the disputed August 23, 2023 general elections.”

ZEC has declared the following Zanu PF members as winners: Costen Mombe (Chiredzi Town Council Ward 6), Brighton Nyashadzashe Mahiya (Chiredzi Town Council Ward 7), Abdurrahman Sapa (Harare Municipality Ward 5), Rufaro Daniel Matsika (Harare Municipality Ward 18), and Simbarashe Ngarande (Manyame Rural District Council).