In a stunning turn of events, the Supreme Court has cleared twelve Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidates to contest for National Assembly seats, overturning a previous ruling by the Bulawayo High Court.
The candidates had been nullified for filling their nomination papers after the 4pm deadline, but the three panel bench granted their appeal and gave them the green light to continue their campaigns.
This news comes as a huge relief to the CCC and their supporters, who had been left in a state of uncertainty after the initial ruling. The Supreme Court agreed, stating that the candidates’ right to participate in the elections had been unfairly curtailed.
The ruling is also a blow to the ruling party, which had been hoping to capitalize on the disqualification of the CCC candidates. The High Court ruling had given Zanu PF candidates such as Mthuli Ncube and Raj Modi free tickets to parliament. However, the decision by the Supreme Court to overturn the High Court ruling and clear the CCC candidates to contest in the election has thrown a spanner in the works for Zanu PF. With the CCC candidates back in the running, the Zanu PF party candidates will now face tougher competition in some constituencies, potentially making it more difficult for them to secure victory. With the election just weeks away, every seat in the National Assembly is crucial, and the CCC’s presence could tip the balance in some key constituencies.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, the CCC members praised the decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
The ruling is sure to shake up the political landscape in Zimbabwe, and could have far-reaching implications for the future of the country. With tensions running high and the stakes higher than ever, the next few weeks promise to be some of the most dramatic in recent memory.
