By Donald Chakamanga
A Harare High Court judge has barred or interdicted aspiring Presidential candidate and former Cabinet Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere from holding himself as a 2023 Presidential candidate and contesting in the elections in Zimbabwe.
The judgement was made by Justice David Mangota who mentioned that the acceptance of the nomination papers filed by Kasukuwere at the nomination court was invalid and ultra vires section 91 (1) (c) and (d) as read with paragraph 1 (2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013 as read further together with section 23 and (3) of the Electoral Act.
He added that Kasukuwere ceased to be a registered voter after he has not been a resident in any constituency in the Republic of Zimbabwe for a period in excess of 18 consecutive months.
The judge also barred Kasukuwere from masquerading as a Presidential candidate whether physically or in any form of medium whatsoever.
In that vein Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was ordered not to print Kasukuwere’s name in the ballot papers or to include him in any electoral processes for the upcoming Harmonized elections.
On the other hand Kasukuwere’s Chief Elections agent, Jacqueline Sande told the media that they are going to appeal the judgement at the Constitutional Court since Justice Mangota noted that it was a Constitutional matter.
The applicant-Lovedale Mangwana had filed an urgent chamber application arguing that Kasukuwere is not a registered voter simply because he had not been ordinarily a resident in any constituency in the Republic of Zimbabwe for a period in excess of 18 consecutive months.
