D.Tinashe Hofisi: Reflections

Nelson Chamisa’s MDC filed its notice of appeal against the whole of the Mashavira judgment on 23 May 2019 in SC 289/19 . As expected, the notice is content heavy; listing no less than eleven grounds of appeal. I will discuss the grounds of appeal without evaluating the merits as that may be the subject of a Supreme Court ruling. The effect of filing the appeal might be more important than the actual relief sought, an exercise in securing outcomes through court process ahead of courtroom proceedings. i)                THE PARTIES The list of parties suggests simmering fissures within the MDC. The High Court application was filed by Elias Mashavira against the MDC, Nelson Chamisa, Elias Mudzuri, Thokozani Khupe, Douglas Mwonzora and Morgan Komichi in that order. It was against the MDC, its officials and one former official. Morgan Komichi deposed to an affidavit on behalf of the MDC and all ...

The Government of Zimbabwe launched the Political Actors Dialogue (PAD) on 17 May 2019. The stated goal of the process is to improve the country’s socio-economic fortunes whilst fostering tolerance and an inclusive democratic culture. It comprises seventeen (17) political parties with one conspicuous absentee, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Nelson Chamisa. The MDC and its supporters have consistently dismissed POLAD as insincere, ineffectual and disingenuous. In this post, I evaluate the criticism of the POLAD process in the context of Zimbabwe’s recent political history. 1.     Exclusionary Nature of the Process The most recurring criticism of POLAD has been the absence of the MDC. Some have questioned the efficacy of a process which does not include the country’s biggest opposition party. The absence of the MDC means the views of a significant number of Zimbabweans will be excluded, thereby undermining the credibility...