Story by Wellington Makonese
OPPOSITION Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu has filed a High Court application seeking to stop 23 candidates from using the party name in the February Third by-elections.
In his application filed at the High Court this Friday, the CCC Interim Secretary-General is seeking an interdict from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to exclude 23 candidates from ballot papers, citing they have since ceased to be members of the CCC party.
Tshabangu also argues that the candidates who were recalled last year, have not been re-admitted to the party, hence they should not contest under the CCC banner.
Among the recalled candidates are Mkoba North candidate Amos Chibaya, Pelandaba/Tshabalala candidate Gift Ostallos Siziba, and Goromonzi South candidate Stephen Chagwiza.
Tshabangu also prays that the High Court may set aside the decisions of the Nomination Court and grant the consequential relief.
The CCC Interim Secretary General also submitted that ZEC erred by allowing the candidates’ nomination to stand since another High Court ruling earlier made it clear that recalled legislators cannot represent the CCC party.
Last year, Tshabangu contested at the High Court and won the challenge ahead of the December 9 by-election which resulted in 22 candidates being removed from the ballot.
Analysts concur the chaos in the CCC has cost the opposition outfit its traditional seats after the ruling ZANU PF party won six out of the nine constituencies contested in the December 9 by-elections.
