Mahere bows out of by-election, citing unreformed ...

Mahere bows out of by-election, citing unreformed Parly

**Former Mt Pleasant MP, Fadzai Mahere**

Zim Now Writer

Former Mount Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere announced Thursday that she will not participate in the upcoming by-election, stating the issues that led to her resignation remain unaddressed.

Mahere resigned earlier this year in protest of what she called a “desecration” of Zimbabwe’s Parliament. Her list of grievances included the dismissal of opposition voices, the use of violence against MPs, and the rigging of parliamentary procedures.

“The conditions that drove me to resign in the first place have not changed,” Mahere said in a statement to constituents.

“The reasons for my resignation include the gross disrespect of the votes cast by citizens in August 2023, the refusal by the Speaker to hear argument on points of national interest, hijacking of the whipping system, the refusal by the Speaker to entertain points of order on sensitive matters, the unleashing of violent riot police to attack opposition MPs during parliamentary sessions, the illegal recall of opposition MPs, the banning of opposition candidates, the disregard of standing orders and parliamentary privilege, the selective application of parliamentary rules, the repeated illegal suspensions of MPs and the hijacking of the opposition parliamentary caucus.”

She specifically cited the recent swearing-in of Sengezo Tshabangu, a figure she linked to the subversion of the people’s will.

Mahere’s decision comes as a blow to the opposition, which had hoped to regain the Mount Pleasant seat. She, however, assures her supporters that she remains “committed to the cause of a truly democratic Zimbabwe”. The renowned constitutional lawyer plans to stay active in the fight for a Parliament that reflects the will of the people.

The two by-elections scheduled for April 6, 2024 arose after Mahere and Rusty Markham resigned from Mt Pleasant and Harare East parliamentary seats respectively.

Their decision also came after Nelson Chamisa resigned as leader of the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change.