Mr Timba
Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Mr Jameson Timba, who lost the Mt Pleasant National Assembly race on July 31, 2013 on an MDC-T ticket, yesterday claimed members of the military and police force from across the country were registered to vote in the constituency while genuine constituents were disenfranchised.
As his poll petition hearing opened at the Electoral Court, Mr Timba alleged that voters were brought in from Norton, Chivhu, Umguza, Chivi, 2 Brigade (Cranborne), ZRP Chikurubi and Tiviotdale Farm (Mazowe South) to cast ballots for Zanu-PF’s Cde Jason Passade.
Cde Passade polled 7 920 votes to Mr Timba’s 3 800.
Mr Timba told the court that Mt Pleasant Heights residents, who fall under Ward 17 of the constituency, were disenfranchised with some being registered in Mazowe East instead.
Mr Timba alleged that 2 400 police recruits from Morris Depot were included on the Ward 7 voters’ roll.
He wants the court to set aside Cde Passade’s election.
The petition was referred to trial after the court felt Mr Timba should be given the opportunity to state his case.
The court wants to determine if there was an unconstitutional redrawing of constituency boundaries and if so, what effect this had on the poll result.
It will also determine if irregularities regarding special voting existed and if ineligible voters were unlawfully registered to vote while eligible ones were excluded. Through lawyer Mr Joseph Mandizha of Mandizha and Company, Cde Passade denies any wrongdoing, adding that if there were any electoral malpractices he did not originate them.
“Even if there were to be proven they did not affect the result materially.
“There is nothing to show that they benefited him to the prejudice of the petitioner,” said Mr Mandizha.
The hearing continues today before Justice Chinembiri Bhunu.