daglous masveta
The case in which Walter Magaya is seeking to have the High Court stop the watershed ZIFA elections on Saturday will be determined this afternoon by Justice Tawanda Chitapi.
Our Reporter Tadious Manyepo will provide live coverage of this story as the day progresses, so you may remain glued to your screens for the latest information on this.
Magaya’s name was excluded from the presidential aspirants’ ballot on December 23 and the cleric was not furnished with a record as per ZIFA’s code.
It later emerged that he had been removed because he didn’t submit his Ordinary Level results on his nomination papers.
Through his legal counsel Thabani Mpofu, Magaya argued that he should have been given seven days as per the dictates of the electoral code to submit the academic qualifications.
Lovemore Madhuku represented the ZIFA Normalization Committee during the hearing last week and all attention is on the judgement to be delivered this afternoon.
Things are taking shape in the courtroom
Zifa Normalization Committee chairman Lincoln Mutasa and the association defence counsel led by Lovemore Madhuku now in the room. Walter Magaya and his legal team led by Thabani Mpofu are still to arrive at the High Court premises.
Justice Tawanda Chitapi hasn’t entered yet. It’s spell-bound and the atmosphere is telling as the nation wait for one of the biggest football court case in recent years.
Judgement delays in Magaya case
A court messenger has just announced that Justice Tawanda Chitapi will enter the court room at around 3:30pm. Lincoln Mutasa and his legal team are in a relaxed mood and they have just gone outside to feel some bit of fresh air. Others in the gallery have stayed put. But Magaya and his counsel haven’t yet arrived. Maybe they are on their way or they aren’t coming. It’s judgement day anyway, so everything will proceed in their presence or absence.
Waiting for the rain….
Seasoned sports photographers are still waiting for the arrival of Walter Magaya and his team (legal and social) outside the High Court premises.
The judgement is expected to be heard from 3:30pm
Magaya lawyer arrives
One of Walter Magaya’s legal representatives Everson Chatambudza of Rubaya and Chatambudza has just arrived at the court.
He has joined several other people milling in the corridors as the wait for the delivery of the judgement continues with Justice Tawanda Chitapi yet to enter the courtroom.
The wait is still on
High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi hasn’t yet arrived to hand the the much-awaited ruling which could have a huge bearing on Saturday’s ZIFA elections.
The complainant Walter Magaya hasn’t shown up but one of his legal counsels Everson Chatambudza is available.
Zifa Normalization Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa and lawyer Lovemore Madhuku are also available.
Legal reps called into chambers
Legal counsels for Walter Magaya (Everson Chatambudza) and ZIFA NC (Lovemore Madhuku) have been called to the chambers.
The meeting, we have been told, will be short and brief before Justice Tawanda Chitapi comes out to deliver the ruling
Legal reps back from chambers, Justice Chitapi expected soon
It looks like we are finally good to go as the legal representatives from Walter Magaya and the ZIFA NC are now back in the courtroom. Justice Tawanda Chitapi could enter soon.
Justice Chitapi reading the judgement
He begins by reading the preamble and outlines the background of the case
Magaya was not not well advised in citing committees: Chitapi
Justice Chitapi reads that Magaya noted in his application that the decision to disqualify him on the basis of non submission of ‘O’ Level certificate was grossly unreasonable and defies logic.
Magaya’s case dismissed
Walter Magaya’s High Court application to be retained on the ZIFA presidential ballot in Saturday’s election has been dismissed.
Abel Ndooka
