PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed December 9 as the date for by-elections in the 15 constituencies which fell vacant following the recent recall of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators by self-proclaimed party secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.
The proclamation, made through Statutory Instrument 188 of 2023, comes before the courts have heard the CCC’s challenge to the recalls.
In its application, the Nelson Chamisa-led party claims Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda misdirected himself by acting on the strength of Tshabangu’s letter when the latter was not a bonafide party member nor executive. The opposition party also accuses Mudenda of being partisan after he “ignored” Chamisa’s letter disowning Tshabangu and explaining how the party operates.
Tshabangu, in his letter to Mudenda, claimed that the 15 had ceased to be members of the opposition party.
According to a Government Gazette published yesterday, the nomination court will sit on November 7 to receive names of nominees for the by-elections.
“Now therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as aforesaid, I do, by this proclamation order new elections for the constituencies of Beitbridge West, Binga North, Bulawayo South, Cowdray Park, Lobengula Magwegwe, Lupane East, Mabvuku Tafara, Mpopoma Mzilikazi and Nketa; and fix Tuesday the 7th day of November, 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning,” read the proclamation.
“Whereas, in terms of section 129 (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the seats of members of Parliament for Beitbridge West, Binga North, Bulawayo South, Cowdray Park, Lobengula- Magwegwe, Lupane East, Mabvuku-Tafara, Mpopoma-Mzilikazi and Nketa have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC: “And whereas it is provided by section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election,” said Mnangagwa.
The majority of the recalled legislators are from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South provinces.
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