The opposition MDC Alliance is keeping the Zimbabwean government on the edge in relation to President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa's inauguration set tentatively for Aug. 12.

The law says that a person who wins the presidential election must be inaugurated on the ninth day after the declaration of the result, unless there is a challenge to the result by any of the contestants. Aggrieved parties have seven days from declaration of result to file their papers.

The MDC Alliance has indicated that it will challenge in court Mnangagwa's victory. It has also said it will challenge the results in at least 20 constituencies won by the ruling ZANU-PF led by Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa has two important events on the national calendar at which he would have wanted to officiate as an inaugurated president.

The nation will commemorate Heroes Day on Aug. 13 at which it celebrates heroes and heroines of the struggle for independence. The following day has Defense Forces Day at which it honors serving and retired members of the defense forces.

The MDC Alliance, whose candidate Nelson Chamisa won 44.3 percent of the votes to Mnangagwa's 50.8 percent, on Wednesday said it was ready to file its papers but left everyone guessing as to when the filing would take place. It has until Friday to do so.

The government has however decided to go ahead with preparations for the inauguration despite the threat of litigation.

Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi told Thursday's Herald newspaper that Aug. 12 remained the day of inauguration in terms of the constitution unless there would be a court application challenging the election results.

In the event of a challenge, the Constitutional Court then should dispose of the matter in 14 days.

He said if the court upheld the result, then the inauguration would take place 48 hours after the determination.

"It can nullify the results, in which case there has to be a fresh election within 60 days," he said.

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