Blow For Zanu PF As Court Nullifies “Rigged” Bulilima Election
The High Court has overturned the election of Dingumuzi Phuti, a member of the ZANU PF party, who was initially declared the winner of the Bulilima Constituency election in August 2023.
The nullification came after Bekezela Maplanka, a candidate from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), challenged the election result. Maplanka was granted a default judgment as Phuti did not contest the challenge. Read the ruling:
WHEREUPON after reading documents filed of record and hearing Counsel:
1. It is declared that the declaration by the Constituency Elections Officer of DINGUMUZI PHUTI as the duly elected Member of the National Assembly for Bulilima Constituency in the Harmonised Elections held on 23rd August 2023 is hereby nullified. 2. It is declared that the national assembly election at Bulilima Constituency produced an undue return and is nullified.
1. It is ordered that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission be and is hereby ordered to conduct a fresh national assembly election at Bulilima constituency.
The judge also stated that the Registrar of the Electoral Court should send a copy of the judgment to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the Clerk of the Parliament of Zimbabwe. Additionally, the judge ordered Phuti to pay the costs of the lawsuit.
Phuti is currently serving as the Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal, and Courier Services. He was appointed to this position in September of this year.
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