Bamu’s ConCourt friend of the court application in Mwonzora case rejected
The Constitutional Court has withdrawn the “Friend of the Court” status granted to human rights lawyer Jeremiah Bhamu in the case in which MDC-T leader is challenging the delimitation report by ZEC.
Bamu’s application as amicus curiae was dismissed by the Constitutional Court on the grounds that he failed to file heads of argument within the stipulated time.
The Constitutional Court was presiding over hearing and determination of an application in which human rights lawyer Bamu
was challenging an attempt by MDC-T leader Senator Douglas Mwonzora to prohibit President Mnangagwa from proclaiming dates for 2023 general elections.
Bamu had his heads filed by another legal Practitioner Advocate Tererai Mafukidze. However the Court ruled that as amicus, Bamu cannot be represented hence heads filed on his behalf by another lawyer were not deemed to be his.
He was supposed to file heads of argument on Friday 5 May 2023.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba ruled; “the law is very clear, that the amicus curiae must produce heads of argument. We never granted Bamu leave to create an excuse. We said you are an expert, you come and assist the court yourself. Submit your heads of argument. He didn’t do so. So we don’t have an amicus curiae”.
