CONSTITUTION
Top court throws out Mugabe lawsuit
An activist accuses the ageing leader of violating the Southern African country’s supreme law during protests last year
Harare — Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court dismissed a case against President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday lodged by an activist who accused the ageing leader of violating the Southern African country’s supreme law during protests last year. The case was the first time a private citizen has asked the court to decide whether actions by 92-year-old Mugabe, the world’s oldest leader, violated the constitution. Mugabe, who has ruled since 1980, was in 2016 confronted by the biggest anti-government protests in a decade. Political activist Promise Mkwananzi, whose #Tajamuka group helped organise the protests, said in his application Mugabe’s responses in the protests’ aftermath had "undermined national security and threatened citizens". At a meeting with war veterans after one of the protests, Mugabe said Zanu-PF had punished defectors during the liberation war by keeping them "underground like rats, in bunkers", something he threatened to do to protest leaders. Mkwananzi said the president a...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.