South Africa’s electoral commission denies claims of Zanu-PF accreditation

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has categorically denied claims that Zimbabwe’s governing party, Zanu-PF, has been accredited to observe the country’s upcoming elections.

This comes after a furore erupted last week over reports that the African National Congress (ANC) had enlisted Zanu-PF’s support to bolster its election campaign.

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) had written to the IEC expressing concerns over Zanu-PF’s participation in the elections, citing the party’s history of political intolerance, violence, and election rigging.

ATM leader Vuyo Zungula urged the IEC to only admit organisations with a proven track record of democratic principles as observers.

In a response to the ATM, IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya reassured that “the Commission has not accredited ZANU PF or any other political party, to observe the elections in South Africa.”

Moepya further stated that the IEC “strongly believes in the integrity of the elections it manages and therefore safeguards against measures that would compromise its processes.”

Zungula had warned that Zanu-PF’s involvement would “damage the integrity of the South African elections.” He recommended that the IEC only admit organisations with a proven track record of democratic principles as observers.

The IEC’s denial has put to rest concerns that Zanu-PF’s presence would undermine the credibility of South Africa’s electoral process.

“The Commission would like to reassure you and the ATM community that it has measures in place to prevent its electoral processes from being compromised,” Moepya said.

The development comes after South African citizens and political parties had expressed outrage over the possibility of Zanu-PF’s involvement in the elections.

As Moepya emphasised, “The Commission strongly believes in the integrity of the elections it manages and therefore safeguards against measures that would compromise its processes.”

Zimbabwean elections have, for over two decades, been marred by irregularities, including voter suppression, alleged electoral rigging and silencing of the dissent.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year won the disputed presidential election with 52,6% against opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s 44%.

Chamisa refused to accept the results, accusing his rival of rigging. Several observers, including the Southern African Development Community, concluded that the plebiscite fell short of the requirements of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.