Chidyausiku rule that the matter must be heard on February 14, two days before the date on which nominations would be done in preparation for by-elections to fill the vacant seats.
Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, recently declared that the 21 legislators from the national assembly and senate must forego their seats after the MDC formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai wrote to him arguing that they were no longer members of the party.
Jacob Mafume, MDC Renewal Team spokesperson, confirmed the ruling.
“Chief Justice Chidyausiku, sitting in chambers, ruled that the matter must be heard on an urgent basis and that will be on April 14,” said Mafume.
Lovemore Madhuku and Tendai Biti represented the 21 legislators.
The expelled MPs insist that Mudenda, in making the decision to expel the Renewal Team MPs and senators, acted wrongly.
They are arguing that it has not been resolved who in fact must be the legitimate leaders of MDC-T, on which they won the tickets to lead the party.
The Renewal Team parted ways with Tsvangirai’s group early last year, accusing him of leadership failure.
Both formations are claiming to be the genuine and bona fide MDC. The fired MPs are also arguing that they never joined another party.
If the courts rule in their favour, Mafume, a lawyer, said that the presidential proclamation of by-elections would be nullified.
Post published in: News