July 31 poll case postponed

Politics
THE Concourt yesterday indefinitely postponed hearing cases on the country’s election dates, which the court had directed to be held by July 31.

THE Constitutional Court (Concourt) yesterday indefinitely postponed hearing cases on the country’s election dates, which the court had directed to be held by July 31.

Staff Reporters

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku asked lawyers of the different political parties to combine their appeal documents for a hearing, possibly tomorrow.

It was also raised by Concourt that President Robert Mugabe was not represented in the proceedings and had not been cited in the applications, when in fact he was part to the election date impasse. MDC leader Welshman Ncube cited Mugabe as respondent in the matter he filed, stalling proceedings, as the President, who is in Singapore for a medical check-up, was not represented.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Ncube were said to be unhappy with an affidavit filed by Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa. Tsvangirai’s lawyer Selby Hwacha told journalists that the court had taken the decision to allow it to consider the applications filed by Tsvangirai and Ncube.

“The Chief Justice will meet all the parties in due course to schedule a hearing,” he explained, with Chinamasa’s lawyer, Fred Gijima, indicating that he objected to the applications.