A Zimbabwean court has nullified the election of controversial Bulawayo deputy mayor, Tinashe Kambarami.
High Court judge Justice Thomson Mabhikwa made the ruling Thursday in the city in a case in which 1893 Mthwakazi Restoration Movement Trust was seeking an order to nullify his election as Ward 3 councillor, citing his criminal record.
Kambarami was convicted of theft and fined $80 or18 days in jail last year by a Bulawayo regional magistrate for stealing an extension cord from an electrician he hired to work in his office.
He now ceases to be a councilor and deputy mayor.
In making the ruling, Justice Mabhikwa cited Section 191(2)(e) of the Electoral Act which stipulates that a person seeking the office of councilor may be disqualified “ if he or she has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty.
He said his ruling is based on enforcing the rule of law as stipulated in the country’s electoral statutes.
“It is hereby declared that the election of Ward 3 Councilor in Bulawayo was in contravention of the Electoral Act following his conviction at the Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court … and it is therefore set aside on account of being null and void and his unsuitability to hold public office.”
Kambarami recently appeared in a video exchanging harsh words with Town Clerk Christopher Dube. He accused Dube of being incompetent and corrupt while the mayor, Solomon Mguni, was in South Africa.
The suspension was declared null and void by the local authority.