The Supreme court of Zimbabwe granted the appeal of 12 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parliamentary candidates, clearing them to contest in the upcoming general election scheduled for August 23. The announcement was made by the party’s spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere soon after the judgment was handed by the Supreme Court.

“Our 12 Bulawayo MPs are back on the ballot box. This was a desperate attempt by Zanu PF to smuggle their unelectable members into parliament. Bulawayo is an integral part of the election process and cannot be ignored.” said Mahere

The 12 candidates were disqualified for submitting their nomination papers to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) through a third party, who was identified as a police officer, in violation of the Electoral Act.

ZEC officials have claimed that Ncube instructed the police officer to collect the papers shortly before 4 pm, as the courtroom was about to close and was too small to accommodate all candidates who were queueing to submit their papers.

The Supreme court’s decision clears the way for the CCC candidates to participate in the election. The ruling may have an implication on the case of Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi, a ZANU PF member, in which a voter applied to have him disqualified.

In addition the ruling means that the three constituencies which were declared to be uncontested (Byo Central/ South and Cowdray Park) will be contested as CCC candidates are back in the ballot.

The 12 CCC candidates who survived the chop are :
Bulawayo Central – Sarenda Kapoikulu
Bulawayo North – Minehle Gumede
Bulawayo South – Nicholas Watson
Cowdray Park – Pasho Sibanda
Emakhandeni – Bajila Descent
Entumbane-Njube – Dube Prince
Lobengula-Magwegwe – Gono Eric
Mpopoma-Mzilikazi – Desmond Makaza
Nketa – Manduna Obert
Nkulumane – Desire Moyo
Pelandaba-Tshabalala – Gift Ostallos Sibiza
Pumula – Sichelasile Mahlangu