THE High Court has dismissed an application against Chief Oliver Saurombe seeking to hold the traditional leader accountable for alleged Zanu PF partisan political statements.
The case stemmed from a report which alleged that Saurombe told a public gathering that all six traditional leaders in Chimanimani, Manicaland province, had agreed to endorse Mnangagwa for “lifetime presidency”.
A citizen, Pritchard Tafadzwa Paradzayi, dragged the chief to court demanding a public apology and retraction.
Paradzayi argued that the chief’s statement is unconstitutional and undermines democratic principles.
Through the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Paradzayi approached the court claiming that Chief Saurombe’s statement is unconstitutional and undermines democratic principles.
He submitted that he viewed a video in which Saurombe chanted Zanu PF slogans.
Keep Reading
- Corruption Watch: Get scared, 2023 is coming
- Corruption Watch: Get scared, 2023 is coming
- Letters: Ensuring Africa’s food security through availability of quality seeds
- Is military's involvement in politics compatible with democracy?
The court ruled that he failed to produce the video as evidence, submitting only a URL link, which his legal team conceded did not authenticate the content.
Following a 10-day ultimatum demanding a public apology and retraction from the chief which expired, Paradzayi initiated legal proceedings, arguing that the remarks violated constitutional term limits and democratic principles.
During the hearing, Saurombe raised preliminary objections, including a challenge to Paradzayi’s legal standing.
After reading documents filed on record and hearing counsel, the High Court delivered its ruling saying there was lack of evidence.
The preliminary point on material disputes of fact was upheld only to the extent that it warranted referral of the matter to trial, in the absence of any other point disposing of the matter on a preliminary basis.
However, the court ultimately upheld the objection that Paradzayi had no legal right to bring the case, resulting in the matter being removed from the court's schedule.
No order as to costs was made.