Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

23 candidates including Members of Parliament and Councillors from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) have been barred from contesting in the upcoming by-elections after High Court Judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda gave an order to remove them from the ballot papers that will be used for the elections set for 3 February.

The ruling, which was handed yesterday will see CCC heavy weights like the party’s Deputy  Spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba, Organising Secretary Amos Chibaya and former Harare Mayor Ian Makone being struck off the ballot.

While delivering the ruling, Justice Kwenda said the applicants proved that the 23 candidates  had seized to be eligible to represent the opposition party since they were expelled by self proclaimed Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu.

“Indeed, the respondents were recalled by the first applicant, indeed vacancies were created, by-elections were called for and will be held.

“Having observed the above, I find that the applicants have proved or made a good case to declare the correct position which is that the respondents, having ceased to be members of CCC and not having being reinstated will not contest in the by-elections under CCC.

“Therefore, consequently it is ordered that the names of the first to the 23 respondents shall not be on ballot  papers as members of CCC,” he ruled.

CCC lawyer Obey Shava told journalists that he would consult his clients on the way forward.

“When we come to court, we expect two possible outcomes.

“The judge might find in the favour of the other party and in this instance the court’s finding was not in our favour.

“So, we are going back to the people who have sent us. I am a lawyer, I take instructions from my client, I am going to sit down with my client and say this is the judgement of the court; what is the way forward? How do you want us to proceed?,” he said.

This is the second time that CCC candidates have been barred from contesting in by-elections following the expulsion of Mps and Councillors by Tshabangu.