MDC Alliance ordered to Pay US$10K, won’t receive PPFA funds
Embattled MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa is thin on strategy, but thick in insulting perceived internal political enemies
The Supreme Court on Monday ordered opposition MDC Alliance to pay legal costs amounting to US$10 000 after the party’s lawyers failed to show up in court this Monday.
MDC Alliance had approached the Supreme Court appealing against Justice Chitapi’s ruling which said the party led by Nelson Chamisa does not legally exist.
After MDC Alliance lawyers failed to show up, the Supreme Court stroke the appeal of the roll suggesting that Chitapi’s ruling stands.
Speaking after the court session, MDC-T interim Secretary-General, Douglas Mwonzora said MDC Alliance had just wasted time. He said:
When the matter was about to be heard at 0930 hours, the lawyers of the MDC Alliance had not turned up. These include Mr. Muchadehama, Mr. Biti, and so on. Only advocate (Fadzayi) Mahere was there, their spokesperson.
She (Mahere) asked for a break so that the lawyers could come to court. They were given up to 10 am and again at 10 am they did not turn up. We don’t know why they have done that yet it was their appeal, it was them who sent this case to court.
Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, who was leading a bench of three judges, insisted the matter be heard fully. That is when our lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku argued the appeal that had been filed by the MDC Alliance was bad at law and was meaningless. Therefore, the Supreme Court ruled that High Court Judge Justice Chitapi’s ruling that the MDC Alliance is not a legal persona stands.
The development also suggests that the MDC Alliance will not receive the monies under the Political Parties Finance Act.
MDC Alliance approached the courts after MDC-T has since March been recalling its legislators and councillors allegedly for ceasing to belong to the party led by Thokozani Khupe.
— NewZimbabwe
–NewZimbabwe
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