Courts begin hearing challenges to elections

Zimbabwe's high courts on Monday began hearing the first of 37 challenges to victories by President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party in the 62 constituencies it took in last June's parliamentary elections, news reports said on Monday. At separate court sessions, judges Vernanda Ziyamba, James Devittie and Paddington Garwe are due to hear the petitions over a period of several weeks. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has alleged the ruling party used violence, intimidation and financial inducements to secure victory in the contested constituencies. Mugabe had attempted to block the courts hearing the cases by presidential decree, but was overruled by the Supreme Court. Legal experts were quoted as saying that Mugabe was expected to make further attempts to stop the courts potentially overturning his parliamentary majority.