(Last Updated on August 17, 2013 by Editor)
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai today announced he was withdrawing the legal challenge at the Constitutional Court challenging election results, a decision that now paves way for Mugabe to be inaugurated as president for the 7th term.
Tsvangirai and his MDC – T party had mounted a legal challenge alleging that the elections were rigged by Mugabe and ZANU PF.
In a letter of notification Tsvangirai’s legal team said,”We refer to the above matter and write to advise that the above Petition scheduled for 10:00 hours on Saturday 17th August 2013 has been withdrawn. A Notice of Withdrawal is filed for record.
“In the circumstances, kindly ensure that the presiding Justices of the Constitutional Court are advised urgently in order not to put them to the inconvenience of preparations.”
Tsvangirai says he cannot successfully bid his case after the High Court denied him timely access to election materials.
Tsvangirai and his legal team had launched a separate legal challenge at the High Court seeking permission to access all materials used in the just ended elections including sealed ballot papers. This they said would be used to prove before the Constitutional Court that the election was rigged.
In his withdrawal affidavit Tsvangirai noted that he had been compelled to withdraw the petition due to be heard tomorrow at the Constitutional Court following a High Court ruling to reserve judgement indefinitely on his request to access election materials.
In an affidavit undertaken this afternoon Tsvangirai said,“As at time of deposing to this affidavit (15:43 hours on Friday 16th August 2013), the judgement in the Applications for materials had not been delivered. This in my view seriously handicaps my prosecution of the petition and it has rendered it impracticable for me to proceed with same.
“ I draw attention to the same that i had specifically indicated in my petition that such material would be needed for the purposes of prosecuting the petition. The fact that i still do not have the material means that i cannot meaningfully prosecute my petition,” said Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai noted that Mugabe’s pronouncements and declarations at the Heroes Day commemorations in front of the same judge who was to hear his case seriously jeopardised his chances to a fair hearing and outcome.
“I am also aware the first respondent addressed crowds at the national Heroes Acre during the Heroes Day celebrations on AUGUST 2013. I am further aware that he made certain unsavoury comments in which he criticised my decision to approach this court. The fact that the Chief Justice was in attendance on the day and the fact the he is expected to preside over my petition does very little to inspire my confidence in the possibility of my enjioyment of the constitutional right to a fair hearing. In this regard i make no imputation, gratuitous or otherwise , about the integrity of the honourable Chief Justice. My concern is with the conduct of the first respondent[Mugabe].”
25 Comments on “Tsvangirai Drops Election Court Challenge, Mugabe To Be Inaugurated President”
Mac on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:10 pm
Mr ‘Boycott’ is living up to hs reputation.
Bla miki on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:22 pm
Well what is the point??
Having successfully Rigged back power, Our Magnanimous Mugabe has PUBLICLY ORDERED the judges not to accept the appeal. So why waste time in a Kangaroo court?
Knud Rasmussen on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:22 pm
Tsvangsven once again shows his true colours. A man driven on by lust and a nutter who is consistently inconsistent! Ngaaende kuBhohera kunorima!
Mukadota on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:24 pm
Thank you Save for being a true Statesman, Zimbabwe is bigger than personalities and institutions. MDC is better from the outside than from within let Zanoo trip on their shoe laces.
Munodei on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:34 pm
Comrade Naked on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:36 pm
End of Chicken yakuBuhela.I blame idiots like Mukadoti who still think this donkey will one day rule.Mission impossible.
jongwe ratiza risina musoro on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:36 pm
Jongwe mupoto, apa rigging apa majudge ndeake apa dhomokirasi yacho ya bhingirishi.
Guvnor on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 9:59 pm
The days of zanu muppets are numbered !
T.Musango on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 10:29 pm
Takagara takazviona kare, kuti mari isiri yako inonakidza kuite spend. Saka MDC maitove serious kuti mungatobudiriri. Inga party iyi izere dzungairo. Kutambisira vanhu nguva, uchivapa chivimbo iwe uchiziva hako kuti hapana chinobuda. MDC is now history, tose varume ngatimhanyeyi neshasha-ZANU-chiwororo.
Makwembere. on Fri, 16th Aug 2013 10:57 pm
Little Nakediot what are you on about? So you actually van speak chiZezuru handti? Unopemga mufana!
Mugomba on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 12:29 am
What was he suppose to do iye adya mari yevanhu mabritish nema americans,he should put a face and some justification to them deal sealed shamwari dzinemari mangwana dzigobudisa zve.
Moyo on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 12:33 am
There is honour Save in distancing yourself from a gang of zanu pf cheaters and liars.
Bla Miki on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 12:40 am
Ha-aa, godzva ramayi vako mhani munyori arikushandisa zita rangu zvisina basa. Infact pammha.ta pamayi vako. I think my work on this fora is coming to an end. I fought a heavy and tense battle with the Western puppets and won. I want to thank my compative comrades, Chando Kupisa, Omugabe, Taneta Musango, Tsano, Nehondo, and many others. Special mention goes to Hon Kurirakwejongwe for coming back home in time for infinite celebrations, Jumpdog, Ndumisogoat and Nakedog for helping to fight the enemy even though never agreed to any of the three foolish tribalists. Its now time for celebration. We need to unite and rebuild the country. Traitors and gays alike may pack and go if they may so wish to those lands where they are likened to Mandela while their wives returns back to the Ngirazis. Thats life Tsvangidog.
Kamudhosvo on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 2:05 am
Criminal act at the high court. The world should now have a clear view of how Zimbabweans are being robbed of their freedom. Those celebrating the withdrawal of MDC petition are Zanu Pf criminals who spearheaded this vote rigging. Zimbabweans have tried peaceful means of resolving this and I am sure the alternative will be unpalatable but necessary.
Comrade Naked on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 2:21 am
His picture is disgusting,what a waste of ambi make-up
MwanA wevhu on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 3:48 am
At least nyikA ya,akufambA tAAKUTONORIMA FODYA
Jabu on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 4:16 am
Mukadota and MDC T vanongoti bla bla bla.
Vahazivi chinonzi DEMOCRACY.
Chimbozwai DEMOCRACY for the next 5yrs.
Mozodzoka kana yenyu yave kunzi MDC B.
Kana kusadzoka zvachose
You guys are a laughing lot.
Zanu PF idhodhi haridyiwe. Joina dhodhi
Jabu on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 4:28 am
Save has so many problem:
-he is not educated, kana standard 6.
-confusion
flip flopper
muda pakati
kuramba munhu ne text msg
kupihwa ma key na pastor kunokwira kumba kwake.
kuramba kutoresa birth certificate.
kuenda kuma cruise asina underwear.
kudiwha ne varungu coz haafunge
Kuita waste mari achiita hire the best lawyers in town.
kuisa irrigation kumusha kwake ne Nikkuv.
Kuroora Eriza akapiswa na NGIRAZI.
Kuramba kuti mukadzi haasi kupiswa even mwana wake Edwin achimutaurira kuti akawana Eriza akabatiswa mudhuri
adhota
zvapera
he has time to fix the above and most importantly to get a birth certificate for mwana
kidza on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 5:28 am
Iwe!Jabu usangotuka vamwe kana Tsvangirai arinani panewe ndimi vanhu vasingavaki ,munoti usiku muriku MDC masikati ZANU PF .there is life after elections let’s move on and respect each other , we are all zimbabweans
Mabhena on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 5:58 am
Imi getsi ratanga kuenda kuZimbabwe, mvura mumatape kupera asi moti Zanu Zanu
Mabhena on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 5:59 am
Mhata dzenyu mese munoti mugabe mugabe
Mabhena on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 5:59 am
Mugabe asina mboro anokwirirwa mukadzi naGono
Mabhena on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 6:01 am
Muri vana vemahure mese munoti Zanu Zanu.matinji ana mai venyu anosungwa nerekeni kunge arikuda kubata shiru.
Mabhena on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 6:04 am
Imbwadzevanhu,we suffering coz of this old rag Mugabe. No water and load shedding has begun in a full swing,all because of an Old Dick clinging onto power.
Quanella on Sat, 17th Aug 2013 6:52 am
Morgiza is very rght to wthdraw the case cz wtout the ncsary material,hw wz he 2 prsnt hz cse.The ligging part had ligged the jurdiciary,what an inept system,’MUBIKIRA CHAIWO’.Mungavhotesa nemamosikeni chaiwo,mikosho yenyu.wha can u dlver 2day if u failed to 4 the past 33yrs.Do u rmmber in 98 when mugabe fired judges for challenging him ,varipo wre warned kuheroes arce.