High Court judge Justice Bharat Patel is today expected to rule on whether or not Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai should be fined by Chief Negomo of Chiweshe for allegedly contravening traditional marriage laws.
The matter was referred to the High Court early this month after two Bindura magistrates gave conflicting verdicts over Chief Negomo’s bid to fine Tsvangirai or attach property over his alleged marriage to businesswoman Lorcadia Karimatsenga Tembo in November last year.
Tsvangirai’s lawyer, Selby Hwacha, confirmed the development yesterday.
“I got a call from someone saying the case is tomorrow (today). Remember the confusion between the two magistrates on the issue, so to correct that, the High Court will determine,” Hwacha said.
A High Court official said the matter would be heard in Court E by Justice Patel.
The marriage, according to Chief Negomo, contravened traditional marriage laws after it was held in the customarily forbidden month of November.
Tsvangirai’s lawyers and government officials described the ruling as “mischievous”.
