Zanu PF fights ZEC over CCC nominations
The ruling Zanu PF is taking legal action to nullify the successful nomination of all CCC National Assembly candidates in Bulawayo who allegedly filed nomination papers after the deadline.
Zanu PF Treasure General, Patrick Chinamasa revealed that the party will be contesting the Zimbabwe Election Commission’s decision to extend the sitting of the Nomination Court to accommodate the opposition candidates whom he argues, failed to meet the 4PM cut-off.
“The law is an ass and must be obeyed and complied with,” said Chinamasa.
The candidates who allegedly missed the deadline were Surrender Kapoikulu of Bulawayo Central constituency, Minenhle Ntandoyenkosi Gumede of Bulawayo North, Nicola Jane Watson of Bulawayo South, Pashor Raphel Sibanda of Cowdray Park, Collins Descent Bajila of Emakhandeni-Luveve, Dingilizwe Tshuma of Entumbane-Njube, Prince Dube of Entumbane Njube, Dereck Gono of Lobengula-Magwegwe, Desmond Makaza of Mpopoma-Mzilikazi, Obert Manduna of Nketa, Desire Moyo of Nkulumane, Sineni Moyo of Pelandaba-Tshabalala, Gift Ostallos Siziba of Pelandaba Tshabalala, Sichelesile Mahlangu of Pumula and Albert Mhlanga of Pumula.
The affected candidates’ list includes three individuals that have been disowned by the CCC as “fraudulent” candidates who forged signatures.
Chinamasa said Zanu PF had directed that litigation be instituted urgently for the nullification of the nomination of the candidates whose papers were submitted late in contravention of Section 46 (7) and (8) of the Electoral Act (chapter 2:13).
He further argued that the 15 affected candidates were not in the nomination court with signed nomination papers and nomination fees by the time the Nomination Court closed at 4pm on June 21.
“We are aware the failure by CCC candidates to submit their nomination papers on time is due to the structureless, constitutionless and banking accountless organisation CCC is,” said Chinamasa.
On nomination day CCC issued a statement to say, “Our MPs in Bulawayo are in the process of filing their nomination papers with some minor technical challenges that caused a slight delay. However, our team has resolved the issue, and we are pleased to announce that all 12 constituencies in Bulawayo will be represented by our Citizens’ candidates.”
The following day, exiled former information minister Jonathan Moyo said CCC had ZEC to thank after its candidates “whose nomination papers were either fatally defective or whose PR nomination papers had not been filed on time – were eventually all allowed to correct or submit their nomination papers in the dead of night, well after 4pm when the Nomination Court had closed.”
Zanu PF will face no competition in all 12 Bulawayo constituencies if the courts grant its wish. Bulawayo has been an opposition stronghold since the emergence of a strong opposition in 2000.
