Two cases which were brought before the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe challenging Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB 3) have been struck off, NOT dismissed.
CAB 3, which seeks, among other things, to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office and change the method of electing a president from direct election by citizens to election by Parliament, requires two referendums in law, but the ZANUPF faction sponsoring it wants to avoid a referendum.
The Constitutional Court struck both cases off the roll this morning. It is important to understand that the cases were not dismissed on their merits. Rather, the Court held that the issues raised could not originate and be determined solely by the Constitutional Court and should first be ventilated in another forum, High Court.
Professor Lovemore Maduku, who is arguing the cases, has indicated that they will now proceed to the High Court. Should the applicants fail to obtain the relief they seek there, the matters will inevitably return to the Constitutional Court on appeal.
Many lawyers have described the Constitutional Court’s decision as an example of constitutional avoidance. In their view, the Court has declined to confront what has become a highly contentious constitutional question, preferring instead to defer consideration of the substantive issues.
A central argument in the war veterans’ challenge, led by Professor Madhuku, is that Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 was discussed and approved by Cabinet, which included President Mnangagwa, the two Vice Presidents, and Cabinet ministers.
Professor Madhuku argues that because President Mnangagwa stands to benefit directly from provisions extending his term of office, he should not have participated in deliberations on the amendments. According to the argument, the Constitution prohibits public officials from participating in decisions in which they have a direct personal interest.
However, the Constitutional Court did not determine the merits of that argument, ruling instead that the matter should be heard elsewhere first. The legal battle is therefore far from over. It now moves to the High Court and, whatever the outcome there, is likely to find its way back to the Constitutional Court for a final determination.
@HonJMuswereJnr Tazvinzwa zvepatriotism, chibuditsai mapaper echikoro Minister.
Embarrass Hopewell by releasing your two PhD certificates, and your MBA certificate kuti anyare.
Surely that is not too hard to do if you have those qualifications.
Today I met with Jean de Dieu Habiyaremye, who runs Multi Foods Group in Kigali, Rwanda.
We will be exporting their hibiscus flowers/tea from Rwanda to the United Kingdom.
As I have always said, Africa will emerge as a powerhouse through trade and not aid.
We hope the Brits will love this Rwandese hibiscus, which will be distributed by our British company, African Foods International @AFI2999.
Coming to Britain soon—bringing Zimbabwe’s national drink to you, making Mazoe available at the press of a button, and keeping it reasonably priced too.
@AFI2999 will beat any price on the market!
Follow @AFI2999 for updates!
Coming to Britain soon—bringing Zimbabwe’s national drink to you, making Mazoe available at the press of a button, and keeping it reasonably priced too.
@AFI2999 will beat any price on the market!
Follow @AFI2999 for updates!
Last month, I encouraged Zimbabwean entrepreneurs to look at goods they can export to Britain because there are no tariffs or quota restrictions.
Here is the Head of Trade at the British Embassy @UKinZimbabwe, Stuart Oxenford, in Harare explaining this.
A friend and I have set up a company @AFI2999 in Britain, South Africa, and soon in Rwanda to do just that.
Uplift each other by sharing such information and opportunities—the UK food market is so big, there is space for everyone.
Rwanda produces some of the best tea in the world.
Many people in the United Kingdom settle for mediocre tea because good tea is overpriced, and that needs to change!
We will soon bring Rwandan tea to the United Kingdom. Stay tuned!
This afternoon, @daddyhope put out a call for dried mangoes from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique.
The pictures being sent through show that there are many hidden gems in this trade.
This one is from Murewa, east of Harare, at Chinake village.
@AFI2999 will bring these dried mangoes to Britain and make them available at reasonable prices.
We have received a lot of messages from Kenyan mango growers, please note that we will also buy from there especially if you are close to the port.