The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation led by
Nelson Chamisa is planning to install him as the legitimately-elected president
of Zimbabwe following the disputed July 30 presidential poll won by Zanu PF’s
Emmerson Mnangagwa.
MDC-T presidential spokesperson Dr. Nkululeko Sibanda says
the swearing-in scheduled for this Saturday, will be conducted by Zimbabweans
and not the country’s chief justice or his deputy, who are supposed to
administer the oath of office for a president as stipulated in the Constitution
of Zimbabwe.
Dr. Sibanda dismissed suggestions that such moves were
illegal, saying the people of Zimbabwe have the right to install a president of
their choice.
Zanu PF activists warned Chamisa to desist from conducting
the symbolic swearing-in ceremony with some calling it treasonous. Section 94
Subsection 1 of the Zimbabwe Constitution stipulates that persons elected as
president and vice-presidents assume office when they take, before the Chief
Justice or the next most senior judge available, the oaths of president or vice
president.
Mnangagwa was sworn-in after the Constitutional Court ruled
that he won the presidential poll whose results were challenged by Chamisa.
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga in January this year
conducted the same ceremony in an effort to force President Uhuru Kenyatta to
the negotiating table following a disputed presidential election.
But in Chamisa’s case, Dr. Sibanda VOA Zimbabwe Service
this is designed to “officially declare” the MDC-T leader the country’s
legitimately-elected president.
Reacting to the MDC-T’s move, Zanu PF Central Committee
member, Believe Gaule, says the MDC-T will commit treason if it goes ahead with
the “swearing-in” ceremony.
Human rights lawyer Matshobana Ncube says the MDC-T’s
proposed inauguration is just a big joke. voa
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