South African lawyers representing Zimbabwe opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa have now been accredited to enter court.
They are due to be present at the Zimbabwe constitutional court on Wednesday for the poll challenge hearing.
Zimbabwe’s justice minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi had denied Chamisa’s lawyers permission to appear in court.
Ziyambi says the applications didn’t have supporting documents like CVs attached, eyewitness news reports.
The three high-profile South African lawyers joined Chamisa’s legal team to put up a strong challenge over the July Presidential election results.
An official of the MDC and spokesperson for the party, Dr. Nkululeko Sibanda told local media on Tuesday that the lawyers from South Africa “are accredited to be in court”.
VIDEO:@nelsonchamisa‘s international lawyers arrive from SA for 2moro’s poll petition. I asked @DrNkuSibanda if their work permit issues hv been finalised.He said they are accredited to be in court & can continue to work as part of the team & that is all that matters for now?? pic.twitter.com/l53z7jnXme
— Violet Gonda (@violetgonda) August 21, 2018
Petition hearing begins
The opposition MDC alleges electoral fraud and rigging in favour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, declared President Mnangagwa winner of the historic election last month. He obtained 2.46 million votes against 2.15 million for the opposition candidate.
The MDC is also seeking fresh election or a declaration that Chamisa won the July 30 poll. But the ruling party, Zanu-PF is rejecting these claims in its statement in opposition.
Looks like President Nelson Chamisa’s additional team of experts has landed and completed accreditation for the case starting tomorrow. All the brains will be in Court. pic.twitter.com/MvsXySMPjO
— Dr Nkululeko Sibanda (@DrNkuSibanda) August 21, 2018
Lawyers for Mr Mnangagwa are asking the court to throw out the case of the opposition. In his statement in opposition, Mnangagwa described Mr Chamisa’s behaviour as childish.
The constitutional court takes 14 days to hear and rule on such petitions.
The Court can uphold the result, declare a new winner or order a fresh election within 60 days. Its decision is final though.
Source: Africafeeds.com
