Zimbabwe finds itself in the spotlight once again for the wrong reasons following a flawed ruling by a court.
President Mugabe, fully aware that he is violating the people’s rights as enshrined in the new constitution of Zimbabwe, has decided to uphold the court ruling. Mugabe’s constitution requires Mugabe to consult the Prime Minister when deciding on the date for the election, but he does not do so, obviously purporting to be upholding the rule of law.
The same Mugabe appealed against a Supreme Court ruling which ordered him to set election dates for three by-elections in Matebeleland. Zimbabweans expect him to have similarly appealed, given the fact that the government does not have adequate resources and voter registration which was supposed to take place at ward level is only taking place at district level.
Does Zimbabwe have the money to run this election with SADC support? SADC are the very people who have been overseeing the transition process and they are the ones who have mediated the negotiations. If they are to be asked for financial assistance, they have a right to say they will only assist if the parties stick to what they agreed on.
Professor Mutambara is already saying that SADC should not interfere in the running of our affairs, but they should certainly be concerned as referee, if the players start bending the rules.

We don’t want another disputed election and this is the message that must be sent to Mugabe in Maputo tomorrow. I hope that Tsvangirai and Ncube will put their differences aside at the SADC meeting and convince Mugabe to appeal with the Constitutional Court against the July 31 deadline.
- Benjamin Chitate, New Zealand
Post published in: Letters to the Editor