Court sets date for Mutambara case

Comment & Analysis
BY OUR STAFF The Bulawayo High Court has set November 16 as the date for contempt of court charges brought against Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara (pictured) by the MDC, which he formerly led.

Charges against Mutambara are that he has continued to violate a court interdict barring him from “exercising any function vested with the president of the MDC”.

This is the latest twist in the battle to control the MDC following a congress that ushered in Welshman Ncube as the leader of the party, but Mutambara and his supporters claim that the January meeting was unconstitutional. In February the High Court ordered Mutambara to stop purporting to be the president of the party, following an interdict sought by Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga on behalf of the MDC. The deputy prime minister’s supporters have also approached the courts in a bid to have Ncube’s rise to the helm of the party annulled.

Mutambara and Ncube are also involved in a mortal battle for the deputy premiership post, with President Robert Mugabe saying he would only swear in the Industry and Trade minister after the determination of the legal suits.