Chamisa's lawyer wants Army Commander to withdraw his statements

Prominent lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has issued a stern ultimatum to Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, demanding the retraction of controversial statements within seven days.

Sanyatwe had declared that the military would engage in "command voting" in future elections and that Zanu-PF would rule indefinitely. These statements, made in a recent video where Sanyatwe addressed Zanu-PF supporters, have sparked widespread concern due to their openly unconstitutional and unlawful nature.

Mpofu, who serves as Nelson Chamisa's legal adviser, highlighted that Sanyatwe's remarks egregiously violated several key aspects of Zimbabwe's legal framework. Specifically, they contravened section 208(2) and section 55 of the Constitution, which uphold the principles of impartiality and non-interference of the military in political affairs. Additionally, the statements breached provisions of the Electoral Act and the Defence Act, further undermining the rule of law and constitutionalism in the country.

In his formal demand, Mpofu stated:

"Sir, I therefore write to demand, as I now do, that you unreservedly withdraw your above statements within seven days of your receipt of this letter, failing which I shall take steps to ensure that appropriate remedies under the law are put in motion."

This move by Mpofu underscores the severity of the situation and the potential legal consequences if Sanyatwe fails to comply with the demand. The issue has ignited significant debate and concern among legal experts, political analysts, and the general public, all of whom are closely watching the developments.