Zimbabwe headed for another sham election in 2018
By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
Zimbabwe could be headed for another controversial election in 2018, after the Zanu PF national organiser, Saviour Kasukuwere, dismissed calls for electoral reforms.
Local media quoted Kasukuwere, who is also the Local Government minister, saying the Zanu PF government would not heed last Friday’s call for electoral reforms.
Some 18 political parties joined hands in a demonstration to call for electoral reforms to ensure free and fair elections in 2018 and beyond, but police violently dispersed protesters despite a High Court ruling ordering them not to interfere.
“How can Didymus Mutasa and Joice Mujuru, failed politicians, who were enjoying power just yesterday under these electoral laws, call for reforms now? They are doing so because they have no capacity to win elections,” he said.
“You want us to listen to people wearing gowns and playing street soccer at Copacabana? That will not happen. If they want to change the government, they should come for elections,” added Kasukuwere.
Mujuru is now the leader of Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) where Mutasa is a senior member after the two, together with many others, were dismissed from Zanu PF for allegedly plotting President Robert Mugabe’s downfall.
Mujuru was Mugabe’s deputy while Mutasa was in charge of intelligence and worked in Mugabe’s office.
Mugabe and Zanu PF have repeatedly been accused of stealing elections since 2000, the year that followed the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Political parties insist that electoral reforms are therefore necessary to prevent further rigging of polls.
Kasukuwere is seen as one of the key architects of the alleged Zanu PF rigging machinery.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) local government shadow minister, Eddie Cross, in May accused Kasukuwere of grabbing council land and selling it to youths as a way of buying their votes in 2018.
The Zanu PF national commissar has also been accused of unleashing violence on opposition supporters in past elections. Nehanda Radio
