Zimbabwe’s top court bars Mugabe's ally from running for presidency

HARARE, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court on Friday barred Savior Kasukuwere, a close ally of former President Robert Mugabe, from contesting the presidential election next month after dismissing his appeal in which he challenged an earlier ban by the High Court.

Lovedale Mangwana, a known activist for the governing Zimbabwe Africa National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) had earlier approached the High Court seeking a ban on the former government minister from contesting for presidency, claiming he (Kasukuwere) was no longer a registered voter because he had spent over 18 months outside the country.

Kasukuwere, who had successfully filed his nomination papers to run for presidency during next month’s elections, is in exile in South Africa after he fled from Zimbabwe following a coup that toppled late former Zimbabwean President Mugabe.

Responding to his disqualification, Kasukuwere tweeted: “Disappointed, and we are now considering our next steps and will keep the nation informed. God bless.”