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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2002 Presidential & Harare Municipal elections - Index of articles
Government's
date for Harare Municipal Elections in contempt of court
Combined Harare
Residents' Association
January
11, 2002
While Combined
Harare Residents Association is pleased that our long struggle has
at last resulted in the long-overdue announcement of elections for
Harare Mayor and Councillors, the conflation of the municipal and
presidential elections is intended to delay the defeat that the
ruling party fears at the hands of the electorate of Harare.
As if anyone needed further confirmation of this regime's disregard
for the rule of law, the blatant contempt of court shown by the
government for the judgement handed down by the Supreme Court last
month regarding municipal elections for Harare (specifying that
such elections be held on or before 11th February) should be sufficient
proof.
CHRA unreservedly condemns this latest action by government to thwart
the democratic rights of the citizens of Harare and calls upon all
responsible residents to express their outrage through the media
as well as continuing to examine their role in providing financial
support for the illegal Commission supposedly running the affairs
of the city. We have established through the courts that it is illegal
for the City to cut off the water supplies of any resident who is
withholding rates payments in protest and furthermore we have been
reliably informed that the City is no longer pursuing legal action
against those who refuse to pay the illegal rates.
CHRA would also like to point out that the individual Commissioners
are fully aware of the court judgement and that the reappointment
of the Commission is unlawful. They should understand that every
single decision that they make is illegal and can be challenged
in a court of law. While we believe many of them are serving in
good faith, we appeal to those commissioners with any respect for
the democratic process (or for their own safety from prosecution)
to refuse to collaborate with those who continue to deny us our
democratic rights. The prospect of endless litigation over the illegal
decisions of the Commission since August 1999 fills us with deep
apprehension since ultimately (and in spite of zanupf's warped thinking)
the City belongs to us and any legal action affects our pockets,
not the Minister's or his underlings currently ensconced at Town
Hall.
We are pursuing the legal path vigorously to defeat this transparent
attempt to defraud the residents of Harare and our lawyers have
already filed papers for an urgent application in the Supreme Court.
However it is up to each and everyone of us to stand up and be counted.
Should we be unsuccessful in our fight for justice and the elections
go ahead in March, every resident must vote and vote carefully to
ensure that their vote is not "spoiled" by any method of deception
that we can expect to be utilised in a futile attempt by the regime
to retain power in Harare. Let the citizens of Harare be a beacon
of light in these dark and troubled times by insisting on our democratic
rights and refusing to cooperate with the forces of tyranny.
Visit the CHRA
fact sheet
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