News / National
Lawyers dissociates themselves from Tsvangirai's statements
19 Aug 2013 at 16:48hrs | Views
The MDC-T leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai's lawyers have dissociated themselves from statements which degrade the integrity of the courts made in his petition which intimated that the constitutional court was partisan and partial.
The full 9-member constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, assisted by justices George Chiweshe, Ben Hlatshwayo, Paddington Garwe, Flora Ziyambi, Luke Malaba, Elizabeth Gwaunza, Susan Mavhangira and Antonia Guvava presided over the challenge to the validity of the presidential elections following Mr Tsvangirai's withdrawal of the election petition last Friday evening.
Chief Justice Chidyausiku impressed upon Advocate Deepak Melita who was part of Tsvangirai's team that it was imperative that he addresses the court over his client's withdrawal of the petition, as in constitutional matters a mere withdrawal does not bring the matter to a close, hence a full hearing and a determination.
Advocate Melita told the court that his instructions clearly confined him to addressing the issue of costs as he had already withdrawn his petition.
Chief Justice Chiudyausiku then probed Advocate Melita whether he stood by the same views made by Mr Tsvangirai which impugned on the integrity and reputation of the court and Advocate Melita dissociated himself from the statements saying they were Mr Tsvangirai's personal views.
President Robert Mugabe's legal representative, Terence Hussein begged the court to grant an order for costs at the highest scale following Mr Tsvangirai's withdrawal of the case.
Advocate Farai Mutamangira, representing the Attorney General and Mr Kanengoni, representing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), also made their submissions.
Mr Kanengoni requested for costs at the ordinary scale while the Advocate Mutamangira requested no costs.
The MDC-T party spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora said the failure to be issued access to requested ballot material had led to the last minute withdrawal.
Chief Justice Chidyausiku postponed the matter to Tuesday afternoon when a determination will be arrived at.
The full 9-member constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, assisted by justices George Chiweshe, Ben Hlatshwayo, Paddington Garwe, Flora Ziyambi, Luke Malaba, Elizabeth Gwaunza, Susan Mavhangira and Antonia Guvava presided over the challenge to the validity of the presidential elections following Mr Tsvangirai's withdrawal of the election petition last Friday evening.
Chief Justice Chidyausiku impressed upon Advocate Deepak Melita who was part of Tsvangirai's team that it was imperative that he addresses the court over his client's withdrawal of the petition, as in constitutional matters a mere withdrawal does not bring the matter to a close, hence a full hearing and a determination.
Advocate Melita told the court that his instructions clearly confined him to addressing the issue of costs as he had already withdrawn his petition.
Chief Justice Chiudyausiku then probed Advocate Melita whether he stood by the same views made by Mr Tsvangirai which impugned on the integrity and reputation of the court and Advocate Melita dissociated himself from the statements saying they were Mr Tsvangirai's personal views.
Advocate Farai Mutamangira, representing the Attorney General and Mr Kanengoni, representing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), also made their submissions.
Mr Kanengoni requested for costs at the ordinary scale while the Advocate Mutamangira requested no costs.
The MDC-T party spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora said the failure to be issued access to requested ballot material had led to the last minute withdrawal.
Chief Justice Chidyausiku postponed the matter to Tuesday afternoon when a determination will be arrived at.
Source - zbc
