High Court Judge Munamato Mutevedzi has reserved judgment in a case involving 14 legislators from the CCC (name of the party) who are challenging their recall from parliament by self-imposed party interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu.
Following the court proceedings, Advocate Amanda Sihle Ndlovu, representing some of the affected MPs, expressed satisfaction with the legal team’s efforts and the progress made so far. She acknowledged the lengthy battle and the involvement of numerous legal minds in reaching the current stage.
Ndlovu stated, “Now the matter is safely before the court’s hands, and we have been promised a determination before the nomination court sits, which is very relevant to us because that is going to determine where we go from here.”
Judge Mutevedzi assured that a ruling would be delivered before November 7.
During the court hearing, party supporters, including the recalled CCC lawmakers, gathered in large numbers. The MPs and senators had cited the Parliament Speaker and Senate President as respondents in their application. However, they later withdrew their case against the two officials and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, stating that the burden of proof solely rested on Tshabangu to establish his case.
The legislators are challenging Tshabangu’s legal standing to recall them, arguing that he was not even a member of the main opposition party. Tshabangu had written to parliament the previous month, ordering the recalls based on the claim that the affected legislators had ceased to be CCC members. He also issued recalls against some party councillors.
The judgment from the High Court will have significant implications for the future course of action for the involved parties.
