Mugabe complies with Con-Court order

According to the latest government gazette, President Robert Mugabe has proclaimed September 19, as the day for holding of the Mwenezi East by-election in compliance with the Con-Court ruling that the by-election should not be held before July 31.

This comes after Kudakwashe Bhasikiti approached the court asking for an order barring holding of by-elections in Mwenezi East until his case, challenging his expulsion from Zanu-PF, has been heard in the High Court.

"I do, by this proclamation, order new elections for the constituencies of Mbire, Mwenezi and Marondera Central," President Mugabe said.

"I do, by this proclamation, fix 19th day of September 2015, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17) of the Electoral Act."

As provided by law, President Mugabe said he had been notified by the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda of the existence of the vacancies.

The proclamation comes after Mr Bhasikiti, the erstwhile Mwenezi East legislator and Minister of Provincial Affairs for Masvingo, had taken the President to the High Court challenging his expulsion from the party.

Mr Bhasikiti's case flopped after the court ruled that the matter had been overtaken by events after Adv Mudenda had declared the seat vacant when he received a letter from Zanu-PF disowning him.

Mr Bhasikiti had also sought the Constitutional Court to bar the President from calling an election in his former constituency before the finalisation of the case in which he was contesting his expulsion from Zanu-PF.

High Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu on Wednesday reserved judgment in Mr Bhasikiti's case challenge.