By Nyashadzashe Ndoro | Nehanda Politics |
HARARE- The United States government has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government against continuing to suspend by-elections citing that this deprives citizens of their right to representation.
Government through Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who doubles as health minister, last year issued a Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 and suspended by-elections indefinitely citing the surge in the Covid-19 threat.
Despite countries like the United States, Malawi, Zambia and others holding elections during the pandemic, Zimbabwean authorities have continued their ban on elections. Civil society groups also tried in vain, several times to lobby the government to allow elections.
In a statement on Twitter the US Embassy in Harare urged the government to allow by-elections and restore leaders in constituencies without representatives both in Parliament and council.
“When will the Zimbabwean government resume by-elections? Long-standing parliamentary vacancies have left over 754,000 voters in 26 constituencies without elected representation. Only by-elections will restore these citizens’ rights to representation. #ZimVotesMatter
“Many countries have held elections despite the pandemic, including Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, and the United States, demonstrating that COVID-safe elections are possible. We are confident Zimbabwe can do the same. #ZimsSafetoVote #ZimVotesMatter,” the US government said.
But information permanent secretary Nick Mangwana responded saying the US Embassy had not followed diplomatic channels to address the issue.
“Surely, the US Embassy knows where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located. Should there be a need for a conversation on this subject you can easily engage them and get a briefing. These highly inflammatory tweets are as disrespectful as they are unnecessary,” he said.
Two weeks ago, The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, a group of civil society groups petitioned the Southern African Development Community (SADC) accusing the government of using Covid-19 as an excuse of avoiding the holding of by-elections when other countries are doing so.
“The government of Zimbabwe keeps on ‘refusing’ to hold by-elections on the excuse of Covid-19 or budgetary constants. This amounts to an unreasonable usurpation of the universal suffrage right of Zimbabweans,” read part of the petition. Nehanda Radio
Kunyepera us havanei nekaMDC aka
Hoo saka zvikazodii .
Kungowukura uko , inorwa ngani ikakunda maTaliban vakarega wani
@ARTUZ_teachers #NgaapindeHakeMukomana
They must reinstate all the recalled opposition members Leaders because the people are suffering for someone to listen to their grievances
Chero mukataura achakunzwai her
USA ngainyarare haina basa neZim.kubva rini wachingo taura
Taliban has taken over Uncle Sam. Leave Zim alone.
If US cares about Zimbabwe they must remove sunctions which are making Zimbabweeans to suffer
America is now looking for someone to attack. So any mistake you are the next.
Keepwell Zuzumbe nothing like that,gone are days when it used to do so.
Alexis Isa America is a country whose economy is sustained by wars. They looted Afghanistan of rare earth minerals for 20 years. Now after seeing that there was nothing they went they left. Do not ever think Russia and China can get involved when America wants to start a war.
But wherever they challenged by other strong nations they’re archive nothing i.e. in Afghan,they escaped by night. In Syria and Yemen they’re facing same fate because their soldiers are incompetent to some world rising militaries.
Vanopenga magays
America has nothing to do with Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe it’s for Zimbabweans and not for Americans. US President must leave Zimbabwe alone and focus on his America. Zimbabwe it’s for black people.
Succ Mukanga Brain washed futsek njaaa
Isrial Fainos MaburoIsrial Fainos Maburo Kana uchida kutongwa nema Americans enda America. Not in Zimbabwe. Hakuna murungu anotiudza zvekuita munyika yevanhu vatema kusiya kwematununu ajawachwa brain.
Its just the right to do the right thing. Its not how you are told, where you are told or who tells you. Just do the right thing. Period!
Zanu irikukwata ma by-election mkomana arikuvakwidzisa temperature
America has nothing to do with Zimbabwe
Simple
Nyini dzenyu hamufunge
Babylon the prostitute drunk with human blood is at it again,busy poking her nose en interfering in Zim politics as if Harare mingles in US politics! Nonsense!
Apana nyika inotongwa zvakadaro kuti another formation recalls elected officials from other side and so called courts okays it. To add salt to the wound you outlaw bye elections you sacrifice democracy to prove a point that you are in charge.
Who are they to command what Zimbabwe must do..?
Zanu is scared of Nero here,with NHM slogan gaining momentum in the country,region n globally ,the dictator is shaking.
America must focus on Afghanistan which is in ruins because of their actions.
America is shit.
Let UsA attack him
Munopenga imbwa dzevanhu maZanu pf mari yamuri kushandisa ndeyenyu hre misatanyoko