By Merlyn Mwanza
Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to Zimbabwe, Dr Nevers Mumba is being attacked by Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF officials as a spy for western interests, with some tweeps going further by lumping President Hakainde Hichilema in the same category.
And the Twitter handle for President Emerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, appearing as Tinoedza Zvimwe has been suspended, for what award winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said was on account of insulting election observers.
ZANU-PF officials have been going after Dr Mumba, who was appointed by President Hichilema, to head the SADC delegation over what they perceive as bias in favour of the opposition led by Nelson Chamisa.
And Twitter has suspended the account belonging to Charamba which appears under the name Tinoedza Zvimwe.
“After insulting and threatening Election Observers on his X (Twitter) handle @Tinoedzazvimwe1, President Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba’s X (twitter) handle has been suspended by X (twitter),” Chin’ono concluded.
He further highlighted the salient points raised by the SADC observer team in their preliminary report.
“The Southern Africa regional board @SADC_News
observer mission has issued its preliminary report. I have posted the full report in my telegram channel via this link SADC Observers Report in brief; 1. Delimitation was a flawed and unconstitutionally executed process. 2. ZEC failed to release the Voters Roll on time for Candidates to Audit. 3. The fee charged for the Voters Roll was restrictive to candidates 4. CCC Rallies were disrupted by the Police thereby denying the Citizens their right to Freedom of Assembly. 5. The Patriotic Bill is unconstitutional as it attacks the Freedom of Speech. 6. Kasukuwere’s disqualification was unconstitutional but dismissed by the courts. 7. The Nomination fees was restrictive (from 1000Usd to 20 000USd). 8. Access to public media was restrictive to the opposition,” quoted Chin’ono on the Mumba led SADC preliminary report.
Zimbabwe went to the polls two days ago. The results have since started trickling in with both the ruling party and opposition claiming that they are winning the elections.
