By Staff Writer
Ex South African President, Thabo Mbeki has slammed the incumbent leader for contradicting the SADC Elections Observer Mission’s report on Zimbabwe by supporting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s questionable victory.
Shortly after the Zimbabwe Elections Commission’s (ZEC) confirmed Mnangagwa as the winner of the disputed August 23 and 24 polls, the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was among the first and very few heads of state to endorse the former’s victory.
The gesture riled the majority of Zimbabweans who have endured ‘brutal’ rule under the Zanu-PF led government since the attainment of independence in 1980.
Many across Africa and beyond regarded the gesture by Ramaphosa as the worst betrayal and direct contradiction of the SADC stance on the country’s elections.
Speaking this week on the Zimbabwean situation, Mbeki expressed disappointment over the manner in which Ramaphosa handled the disputed polls.
“After the SADC observers had made their comments, virtually saying the election results were not representative of popular opinion and submitted their report to the chair of the SADC Organ President Hichilema.
“I would presume that then the SADC Organ would have studied the report and made a decision or suggestion on what is to be done,” he said.
President Mbeki stated he presumed that something would be done because the election results did not represent the will of the people.
Instead President Ramaphosa endorsed Mnangagwa and contradicted the will of the citizens of Zimbabwe. He also endorsed the Zanu-PF party and Mthuli Ncube’s failed economics.
The influx of Zimbabweans into South Africa due to the derogating Zimbabwe economy has greatly affected locals.
Mbeki also compared how the Zimbabwe Election situation was handled in 2008 vs 2023.
“Ramaphosa will be reminded in Election 2024, of the decisions he made in regards to Zimbabwe and many other issues. There are disgruntled voters. The launch of Umkhonto Wesizwe Party is a rejection of Ramaphosa’s policies,” he said.
Former President Jacob Zuma last week denounced the governing African National Congress party and announced that he would vote for a newly-formed political formation in South Africa’s general election next year.
The developments have been described as a new twist in neighboring SA’s politics and a threat to liberation linked governments which have outlived their lifespan.
