SADC elders jet into Zim over disputed polls
By Staff Writer
THE Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Secretariat in Botswana has dispatched its Panel of Elders (PoE) on a fact-finding mission into disputed 2023 harmonised elections results in Zimbabwe.
This follows a damning preliminary report of the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) chaired by former Zambian vice president, Nevers Mumba in the aftermath of chaotic August 23-24 plebiscites.
Mnangagwa was last Saturday night declared winner in the just-ended presidential election by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
The elections management body announced Zanu PF leader victor with 2 350 711 votes against his arch-rival Nelson Chamisa of Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), who tallied 1 967 343 of total 4 468 740 ballots.
This translated to the president-elect garnering 52, 6% against his contender’s 44%.
Following the announcement of the results, main opposition, Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) challenged the outcome describing the polls as a sham and calling for fresh elections.
The delegation will be led by Botswana’s Charles Tibone as former Tanzanian president and the Panel’s chairperson Jakaya Kikwete could not make it.
“The SADC Secretariat presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe and has the honour to acknowledge receipt of the latter’s note verbale Ref No. C/10 dated 21 August 2023 inviting SADC PoE to the Harmonised Elections in the Republic of Zimbabwe, in accordance with recommendations of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council Pre-Election Assessment Mission conducted from 12 to 19 August 2023 and Summit Decisions of 17 August 2023,” the note reads.
“Consequently, the PoE will conduct a mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe between 28 August and 1 September 2023, in line with Summit directives of 17 August 2023.”
