James vows to defy MDC-T directive

Ex-Mutare mayor Brian James has vowed to defy an MDC-T directive compelling him to withdraw his nomination papers from the Nomination Court where he filed to stand as the party's council candidate.

"I would just like to state categorically that I will not withdraw my nomination to stand as ward 12 councillor and I intend to serve the people of my ward as originally intended," he said yesterday.

James is among the 7 MDC-T council candidates that were recently ordered to withdraw their nomination papers or risk expulsion from the party.

Meanwhile, The MDC-T has filed an application at the nomination court seeking to withdraw nomination papers filed by 9 of its Chitungwiza members after it emerged that they allegedly used forged party documents to have their candidatures confirmed.

According to the party, the 9 successfully filed nomination papers to stand as MDC-T council candidates in the forthcoming harmonised polls using provincial chairman Alexio Musundire's forged signature. Both party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora and Musundire confirmed the development last Friday.