HARARE —
The Supreme Court has dismissed an application filed by the National Constitutional Assembly seeking to delay the March 16 constitutional referendum arguing that Zimbabweans were given little time to debate the content of the draft charter before Saturday’s vote.
The constitutional referendum will go ahead as planned following the Supreme Court ruling that there is no basis in the NCA application to stop the national vote.
But Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said High Court judge George Chiweshe erred when he ruled that his court had no jurisdiction to hear the case in which President Robert Mugabe was cited as a respondent.
However, the highest court in the land found that there was no reason at law advanced by the NCA to warrant the postponement of the referendum.
NCA chairman, Lovemore Madhuku, said his organization was pleased by the first part of the judgment.
Mr. Madhuku said the NCA will continue to urge Zimbabweans to vote against the draft constitution, adding he expects the charter will be rejected Saturday.
Zimbabweans are expected to adopt or reject the draft constitution. Zanu-PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change formations in the unity government are all campaigning for a “yes” vote.
The constitutional referendum will go ahead as planned following the Supreme Court ruling that there is no basis in the NCA application to stop the national vote.
But Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said High Court judge George Chiweshe erred when he ruled that his court had no jurisdiction to hear the case in which President Robert Mugabe was cited as a respondent.
However, the highest court in the land found that there was no reason at law advanced by the NCA to warrant the postponement of the referendum.
NCA chairman, Lovemore Madhuku, said his organization was pleased by the first part of the judgment.
Mr. Madhuku said the NCA will continue to urge Zimbabweans to vote against the draft constitution, adding he expects the charter will be rejected Saturday.
Zimbabweans are expected to adopt or reject the draft constitution. Zanu-PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change formations in the unity government are all campaigning for a “yes” vote.
