News / National
'I fully respect the laws of the land' says Mugabe
22 Mar 2013 at 10:19hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe says he is aware of the High Court order to announce election dates by the 31st of March, saying he fully respect the laws of the land and government lawyers will follow the law and take appropriate action.
With only a few days before the end of March the President Mugabe, who was given up to this month-end to announce election dates, says the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa and government lawyers will seek a High Court order for the extension of the deadline as the poll dates cannot be proclaimed within the next six days.
In an interview with the state media, President Mugabe said he respects the laws of the land and any steps to be taken will be according to the legal framework of the country.
"I am fully aware of the High Court order and the government lawyers working with Patrick Chinamasa our Justice and Legal Affairs Minister will look into that.
"I fully respect the laws of the land and any action to be taken will be in accordance with the law," said the President.
Last year, Judge President Justice George Chiweshe granted an order allowing President Mugabe more time to call for elections in Zimbabwe up to 31 March 2013 rather than 1 October 2012 as dictated by a High Court ruling.
Lawyers who represented President Mugabe had argued that the inclusive government was cash-strapped and that it could not hold by-elections in three Matabeleland constituencies and hence needed the by-elections to be subsumed into general elections which they hinted could be held in 2013.
Zimbabwe is expected to go for harmonised elections mid this year after the conclusion of the constitution-making process.
With only a few days before the end of March the President Mugabe, who was given up to this month-end to announce election dates, says the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa and government lawyers will seek a High Court order for the extension of the deadline as the poll dates cannot be proclaimed within the next six days.
In an interview with the state media, President Mugabe said he respects the laws of the land and any steps to be taken will be according to the legal framework of the country.
"I am fully aware of the High Court order and the government lawyers working with Patrick Chinamasa our Justice and Legal Affairs Minister will look into that.
"I fully respect the laws of the land and any action to be taken will be in accordance with the law," said the President.
Last year, Judge President Justice George Chiweshe granted an order allowing President Mugabe more time to call for elections in Zimbabwe up to 31 March 2013 rather than 1 October 2012 as dictated by a High Court ruling.
Lawyers who represented President Mugabe had argued that the inclusive government was cash-strapped and that it could not hold by-elections in three Matabeleland constituencies and hence needed the by-elections to be subsumed into general elections which they hinted could be held in 2013.
Zimbabwe is expected to go for harmonised elections mid this year after the conclusion of the constitution-making process.
Source - zbc
