Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese who was supposed to preside over the MDC-T name wrangle between Nelson Chamisa and Dr Thokozani Khupecase, recused himself after Chamisa’s lawyers accused him of being a Zanu-PF supporter. The matter was referred back to Judge President George Chiweshe for reallocation.
Speaking to The Herald, Khupe’s deputy Obert Gutu confirmed the development saying:
We had come for the commencement of the trial today (yesterday) but before it kicked off we were advised by our lawyers and lead counsel Professor Lovemore Madhuku that the applicants, who are being represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu, made serious allegations against Justice Martin Makonese, saying he is a Zanu-PF judge. They alleged that he has Zanu-PF links and that at one time he ran for a political office under the Zanu-PF ticket. All those allegations were spurious, unfounded, malicious and downright lie and we find it very strange.
Chamisa’s lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu said the matter had been referred to Justice Chiweshe for reallocation but however, refused to comment on the allegations attributed to his clients.
More: Herald
So the Chamisa team hope to face an Mdc-T Alliance judge or a PDp. Where do we draw the line in the sand?