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High Court judge to hear Mutare Mayor's challenge on Chombo's antics
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
May 28, 2012

High Court Judge Justice Andrew Mutema will on Tuesday 29 May 2012 hear an urgent chamber application filed by lawyers representing suspended Mutare Mayor, Brian Leslie James seeking to stop disciplinary proceedings brought against him by Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister, Ignatius Chombo.

Chombo recently appointed a board of inquiry chaired by one Machingauta and tasked it to convene hearings and make findings against James, who was charged with 16 counts of misconduct.

But James' lawyers Henning Lock of Henning Lock Donagher and Winter, Blessing Nyamaropa and Tawanda Zhuwarara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court on Thursday 24 May 2012 seeking to interdict Chombo, Machingauta and his three member board of enquiry from convening hearings and make findings before the finalisation of another High Court case. James has already lodged an application in the High Court challenging his suspension from executing his duties as Mayor by the Local Government Minister.

Last week, the Mayor's lawyers walked out of the hearing on the basis that the hearing was sub-judice and unprocedural. The lawyers argued that they could not be party to the proceedings since the matter was already before the High Court, where James has lodged an appeal. Chombo suspended James in January 2012 citing allegations of misconduct.

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