Maimane urges SA to severe ties with Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe’s recent elections have been a topic of controversy and dispute.

As pressure mounts for the reversal of the disputed elections won by Emmerson Mnangagwa, Build One South Africa led by Mmusi Maimane has urged South Africa’s government to “cease diplomatic engagement with the government of Zimbabwe” ¹.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) observers found that the election failed to meet norms associated with free and fair elections ². Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change led by Nelson Chamisa, has rejected the election results announced in the middle of the night on Saturday, saying the figures were fraudulent ³.

“The price of recognising a sham election in Zimbabwe is too high for South Africa,” warned Maimane.

“Build One South Africa calls on the government of South Africa to cease diplomatic engagement with the government of Zimbabwe and expel the Zimbabwean ambassador” ¹.

The SADC has condemned Zimbabwe’s elections, stating that parts of the poll fall short of regional and national standards ⁴.

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is closely following developments in Zimbabwe’s elections, his spokesperson said on Sunday.

Citizens went to the polls on Wednesday but voting had to be extended into Thursday in some areas, including the capital, Harare, due to a lack of ballot papers. President Emmerson Mnangagwa secured a second five-year term in results announced late on Saturday.

His party, Zanu-PF, has been in power since 1980, following the end of white minority rule in the southern African country, formerly known as Rhodesia. Mr. Mnangagwa received more than 52 per cent of the vote, according to media reports.

Opposition candidate Nelson Chamisa received 44 per cent. His party, Citizens Coalition for Change, rejected the results ⁴.

“The Secretary-General calls on political leaders and their supporters to reject any and all forms of violence, threats of violence, or incitement to violence, and to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are fully respected,” said Guterres’ spokesperson.

“The Secretary-General calls on political actors to peacefully settle any disputes through established legal and institutional channels, and urges the competent authorities to resolve any disputes in a fair, expeditious, and transparent manner to ensure that the results are a true reflection of the will of the people” ⁴.

Ramaphosa congratulated Mnangagwa yesterday for winning the harmonised elections ⁵