In a setback for her presidential ambitions, the High Court has dismissed an application filed by opposition Labour Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) leader Linda Masarira.
Masarira, 40, was challenging the decision of the Nomination Court to set aside her presidential nomination papers for the August 23 general elections.
Her nomination was rejected after she failed to pay the mandatory $20,000 nomination fees using the RTGS system due to limits within the banking system.
In her application, Masarira cited ZEC officials, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Nelson Chamisa of CCC and other presidential candidates including Saviour Kasukuwere and Lovemore Madhuku as respondents.
She demanded that ZEC include her name on the ballot as a presidential candidate and allow her to campaign.
However, Justice Gladys Mhuri dismissed Masarira’s application after reading only the operative part of the judgment in court. The full judgment is yet to be released.
Masarira said: “My application was dismissed with costs. We will only know the reasons when we get a copy of the full judgment. The way forward will be determined after reading the full judgment.”
The presidential race features 12 candidates, including incumbent Mnangagwa and CCC leader Nelson Chamisa. Businesswoman Elisabeth Valerio is the only female candidate besides Masarira.
The ruling deals a blow to Masarira’s hopes of becoming Zimbabwe’s first female president. She now faces an uphill battle to be reinstated in time for the elections.
