The court said it did not have jurisdiction over the matter.The MDC had wanted the court to order the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to disclose the number of ballot papers printed for the joint presidential, parliamentary and council elections on March 29.The opposition party – that according to sources believes more ballots were printed to allow for easier manipulation of the vote – also wanted the court to order ZEC to disclose the identity of the firm contracted to print ballot papers and that the commission allows inspection and auditing of ballot papers.The MDC also wanted ZEC ordered to increase the number of polling stations in its stronghold urban areas. Analysts say fewer polling booths allocated in cities and towns could turn away voters.The electoral court said it had no jurisdiction to hear the matter so we are going to launch the case with the High Court very soon, said a lawyer with Coghlan Welsh and Guest, acting for the opposition party.The Electoral Court was set up to specifically hear disputes related to and about elections.MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti said the court’s refusal to deal with the matter that clearly fell under its ambit was a reflection of the failure of the whole electoral system.It’s strange that a court set up to solve electoral disputes is refusing to do so, Biti said. It’s a reflection of the failure of the whole electoral system. We will make a fresh court application soon.The MDC had also sought to compel ZEC to give the number of postal votes and to identify postal voters – where they come from and where they will cast their votes. – ZimOnline
United States Extends Mugabe Travel Ban
BY CHIEF REPORTER
HARARE
The United States has extended a ban on US travel for President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle, to protest an election campaign it says is marred by political violence and intimidation.Main opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (Tsvangirai) has reported a rising tide of State-sponsored violence against supporters and candidates, including the disappearance of one of its candidates after threats from a Zanu (PF) mob. He is feared dead, the opposition party has said.President George W. Bush announced he was extending the suspension of entry into the United States for Mugabe and senior members of his Government and their families by one year. The extension of the travel ban has also been imposed on people who, through their business dealings, benefit from the policies of the current Zimbabwe Government.I took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions, said President Bush in a statement.These actions have contributed to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Zimbabwe, politically motivated violence and intimidation, and political and economic instability in the southern African region.
Implats Does Deal With Govt
BY NTANDO NCUBE
JOHANNESBURG
South Africa’s Impala Platinum, the world’s second-biggest platinum producer, says it has agreements in place to deal with a new nationalisation law in Zimbabwe.Chief Executive Officer David Brown and Executive Director Les Paton said: Implats had planned for this eventuality and has agreements in place which will be taken into account when looking at the overall compliance to the new law. Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) advises that the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Bill passed by the Zimbabwean parliament on 2nd November 2007 was assented by the President of Zimbabwe and gazetted on Friday, 7th March 2008. The date for the act is still to be notified through a Statutory Instrument (SI), still to be gazetted. Implats wishes to advise that the proposed Mines and Minerals Act Amendment Bill that underpins this legislation has still to be introduced to Parliament.Implats said the agreement reached includes a deal on the release of 36 per cent of its resource base in exchange for a combination of empowerment credits of 19.5 per cent and $5m in cash, or credits of 29.25 per cent if no cash is received.The company said it would also get credits for infrastructure and social spending, although the amount had not yet been finalised.Last month, Implats said it aimed to increase platinum output from its Zimbabwe mines by 100,000 ounces to 260,000 by 2010.
Post published in: News