The Financial Gazette

Ray Ndlovu, Staff Reporter

BULAWAYO — Zimbabwe’s dominant political parties in Matabeleland have slammed the government’s decision to appeal against a High Court ruling made a fortnight ago by Justice Nicholas Ndou, which compels President Robert Mugabe to announce by-elections within two weeks in three vacant constituencies in the Western region.
Under Zimbabwe’s laws, the calling of elections is the prerogative of the President and the Zimbabwe Election Commission remains responsible only for conducting the by-elections.
The seats fell vacant after the Welshman Ncube led-Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, the initial victors of the seats, fired Abdenico Bhebhe of Nkayi South, Njabuliso Mnguni of Lupane East and Norman Mpofu of Bulilima East for their perceived close ties with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party.
Nhlanhla Dube, the spokesperson of the Ncube-led MDC said, “We have an autonomous judiciary and there is no reason why the President would be contemptuous in not calling for the by-elections, we are ready for them and have potential candidates waiting to take part”.
But according to Patrick Chinamasa, the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, the country’s Attorney-General, Johannes Tomana is lodging the State’s appeal, understandably on the grounds of flawed legal reasons given by the High Court judge.
“The Attorney-General is drafting the appeal. I cannot comment on its contents or the exact reasons for the appeal at the moment. You will have to wait until the appeal is noted”, said Chinamasa.
Tomana is supposed to lodge the appeal within 14 days of the order being delivered to the President’s Office.
Douglas Mwonzora, the spokesperson of the MDC-T said, “The High Court ruling was a correct judgment in our view and the by-elections have to be held, and free and fair conditions must be put in place. The MDC-T is eager to participate in the elections and we are going to win them because we know that the Ncube-led MDC is not going to field the same candidates whom they say have lost favour with. We are going to definitely beat the MDC and even ZANU-PF three fold”.
Methuseli Moyo, the ZAPU spokesperson said, “ZAPU had hoped that none of the     respondents would appeal to the Supreme Court, thereby delaying or preventing the by-election. The people of Nkayi South, Bulilima East and Lupane East need a permanent political representation and solid leadership to overcome the problems of underdevelopment in their         areas. ZAPU is ready to rescue the three constituencies from opportunists and political wanderers.”
Observers perceive that a defeat for ZANU-PF  would place the party on the back foot ahead of its bid to drum up support and make inroads into the Matabeleland region ahead of elections expected next year.
Simba Makoni’s, Mavambo/Kusile Dawn party has also confirmed that it would field candidates in the by-elections.