2023 ELECTIONS: Saviour Tyson Kasukuwere’s comeback bid under threat

Saviour Tyson Kasukuwere’s comeback bid faces key hurdle

The Supreme Court will hear a case on July 26 filed by Zanu PF member Lovedale Mangwana that aims to stop Saviour Kasukuwere from running in Zimbabwe’s presidential election.

Kasukuwere’s lawyers initially objected to the urgent hearing but later agreed. They told judges they were now instructed “not to persist with the objection.”

Mangwana had cited Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi in his case.

Kasukuwere is appealing a High Court ruling that said he should stop posing as a presidential candidate. The court made the ruling after Mangwana argued the Electoral Act bars candidates who’ve been outside Zimbabwe for over 18 months from running.

Mangwana said Kasukuwere fled the country during the 2017 coup and has been abroad for over 18 months.

But Kasukuwere’s lawyers argued there’s no proof he’s been away that long. They also said there’s no legal reason to remove his name from the candidate list now that it’s been gazetted.

So a top Zanu PF member is trying in court to block a rival – former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere – from running against President Emmerson Mnangagwa. But Kasukuwere’s lawyers claim there’s no proof he broke electoral rules. Will the Supreme Court side with Zanu PF and remove another threat to Mnangagwa?