Mutasa Central MP, Trevor Saruwaka’s application seeking to
challenge his ejection from the National Assembly for wearing a jacket with the
country’s flag colours, yesterday went up in smoke after it was dismissed by
the High Court.
In his application, Saruwaka (MDC-T) had cited Speaker of
the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda and the chief security officer of Parliament
as respondents.
The legislator approached the High Court, arguing that his
ejection from the august House last year on allegations of wearing a jacket
with the country’s flag colours was unlawful and an infringement of his right
to freedom of conscience and religion.
But High Court judge, Justice Lavender Makoni dismissed the
application through a judgment handed down in the motion court by Justice
Jester Helena Charehwa.
“After going through the submission by the parties, the
application be and is, hereby, dismissed. Applicant (Saruwaka) to pay
respondent’s costs,” Justice Charehwa said.
Saruwaka, who was represented by Kudzai Kadzere from
Kadzere, Hungwe & Mandevere Legal Practitioners, had argued that there was
no provision in Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders that barred legislators
from wearing clothing with the country’s flag colours.
Saruwaka said the colours on his jacket were synonymous
with his Rastafarian
religion. Newsday
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