The High Court has confirmed Christopher Mutsvangwa as the
legitimate leader of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association
(ZNLWVA), effectively barring Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister
Mandiitawepi Chimene from claiming leadership of the ex-freedom fighters’
grouping.
The order was confirmed yesterday by High Court judge,
Justice Helena Charehwa after Chimene and some war veterans were in February
last year interdicted from masquerading as interim or substantive leaders of
the association.
Since the granting of the interim order by High Court
judge, Justice Happias Zhou, Mutsvangwa has been in control pending
confirmation of the final order. When the interim order was granted, Justice
Zhou also interdicted Chimene from issuing Press statements on behalf of ZNLWVA
and its leadership.
Chimene last year claimed to have passed a vote of
no-confidence against Mutsvangwa, Headman Moyo and Victor Matemadanda. The
court order read in part: “Respondent (Chimene) be and is, hereby, ordered not
to interfere with applicant’s (ZNLWVA) activities or give Press conferences
with regards to applicant’s activities or give Press conferences with regards
to applicant and its leadership.
“Respondent and any other persons acting through her are,
hereby, interdicted from holding themselves up as the interim or substantive
leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association.”
At some point, the Provincial Affairs minister approached
the High Court seeking to have the same judgment in ZNLWVA’s favour reversed,
but her efforts were in vain, as her application for rescission of judgment was
dismissed.
Through her lawyers, Messrs Garikayi and Company, Chimene
had filed the application, arguing the judgment was erroneously sought by
ZNLWVA and likewise granted by Justice Zhou in error.
Chimene had argued that she was never served with a copy of
the urgent chamber application, which eventually culminated in the interdict
being granted against her.
She also said the matter was eventually heard in her
absence, but she was never served with a notice of set-down considering that
the application was not being made on an ex parte basis, adding the rules required
service of both the application and the notice of set-down on her person.
ZNLWVA was represented by Edmore Muhlekiwa. Newsday
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