Judgment day

THE latest developments mean the planned inauguration of President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa, cannot go ahead as scheduled as the court has to deal with the matter first. The stakes are quite high and it is likely going to be a tense period for both parties as Zanu-PF has at most three days to file their response according to the Constitution.

Our hope is the court deals with the matter expeditiously and with utmost professionalism and integrity as the destiny of the country may as well hinge on its verdict. As it is, business is at a halt as stakeholders follow closely what is going to happen. Given the tension in the preceding week, it is our hope that the MDC Alliance has secured adequate evidence to put up a decent fight with which they may be able to win if the court acts fairly and professionally.

The Constitution allows the court a maximum of 14 days within which it can deal with the matter.

It is within the parameters of the ConCourt to exercise any of the three options that include declaring a winner – which could be the same or different from the one declared by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission – invalidate the election (and then there has to be a fresh election within 60 days) or grant any other order “just and appropriate”.

The last option is fairly broad and can include calling for a recount or even a run-off. Most significantly, the ConCourt’s decision will be final.

The MDC Alliance has a tall order as it has to demonstrate to the court that, indeed, there were instances in which the law was not complied with and show how such irregularities influenced the final results of the elections. After having been accused of holding the nation to ransom by playing hide and seek, the MDC Alliance ought to put up a decent fight and demonstrate that they knew what they were talking about.