The Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed the case of 21 legislators from MDC Renewal Team who were challenging their expulsion from Parliament.
BY STAFF REPORTER
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and Senate president Edna Madzongwe last month declared the 21 seats held by MPs and senators aligned to former MDC-T secretary general Tendai Biti vacant following a request from Morgan Tsvangirai’s party.
Biti’s faction had challenged the constitutionality of Mudenda and Madzongwe’s move. The court ruling paves the way for nomination courts to sit on Thursday ahead of the by-elections set for June 10.
Only 14 by-elections will be held as other seats were selected through proportional representation.
A court victory was the only hope to remain in Parliament for the MDC Renewal MPs as their party has stated that it will not contest the polls.
MDC-T and MDC led by Welshman Ncube are also boycotting the by-elections as they insist on electoral reforms. Five of the constituencies are in Bulawayo.
Information minister Jonathan Moyo will contest the Tsholotsho North by-election after he lost to Roselyn Nkomo of MDC-T in 2013.
