WASHINGTON —
The so-called MDC-T rebels who are contesting the July 31 elections as independents in Bulawayo have dismissed their expulsion from the party as illegal, saying due process was not followed.
The candidates, Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda, Samuel Sandla Khumalo, Kidwell Mujuru and Prince Dube, are also vowing to fight a court injunction stopping them from using the party logo and symbols.
The MDC-T obtained the order against the four on Wednesday after arguing that their use of its identities, including the open palm and Morgan Tsvangirai’s face, was misleading since they had been expelled from the party.
"It is ordered that respondents' use of the applicant's registered electoral campaign symbol, being an open palm of a hand bearing the face of applicant's president Morgan Tsvangirai or part thereof is such symbol be and is hereby declared unlawful," the High Court ruled.
But Mafa and his colleagues are digging in. The outgoing Magwegwe legislator, also a spokesman for the independent candidates’ coalition told VOA concerted efforts to curb his movement will not succeed.
"We respect the court but we don't agree with its ruling, which has yet to be availed to us, but we do not agree with it and will certainly appeal when we get it," Mafa said.
He is seeking re-lection on an independent ticket after breaking ranks with the MDC-T over his ouster in primary elections.
Lawyer Kucaca Phulu, who obtained the injunction on behalf of the MDC-T said the court order will be delivered to Mafa and his colleagues Tuesday.
The candidates, Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda, Samuel Sandla Khumalo, Kidwell Mujuru and Prince Dube, are also vowing to fight a court injunction stopping them from using the party logo and symbols.
The MDC-T obtained the order against the four on Wednesday after arguing that their use of its identities, including the open palm and Morgan Tsvangirai’s face, was misleading since they had been expelled from the party.
"It is ordered that respondents' use of the applicant's registered electoral campaign symbol, being an open palm of a hand bearing the face of applicant's president Morgan Tsvangirai or part thereof is such symbol be and is hereby declared unlawful," the High Court ruled.
But Mafa and his colleagues are digging in. The outgoing Magwegwe legislator, also a spokesman for the independent candidates’ coalition told VOA concerted efforts to curb his movement will not succeed.
"We respect the court but we don't agree with its ruling, which has yet to be availed to us, but we do not agree with it and will certainly appeal when we get it," Mafa said.
He is seeking re-lection on an independent ticket after breaking ranks with the MDC-T over his ouster in primary elections.
Lawyer Kucaca Phulu, who obtained the injunction on behalf of the MDC-T said the court order will be delivered to Mafa and his colleagues Tuesday.