HARARE – Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, has praised South Africa’s recent elections as an “exemplary” model of free and fair elections, drawing comparisons with Zimbabwe’s disputed August 2023 elections.
Speaking at the funeral wake of opposition stalwart, CCC senator and former Harare Central MP, Murisi Zwizwai, Chamisa commended the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa for its professional and accountable approach, contrasting it with the inefficiencies and lack of transparency demonstrated by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
Chamisa accused ZEC of being “incompetent and biased” and called for its urgent disbandment, advocating for an independent electoral commission to uphold the integrity of future elections and restore public confidence in the electoral system.
“I must say that there are lessons to be learnt, the key lesson being that institutions that are independent and professional are important for the stability and progress of nations.
“If you look at the conduct of the Independent Electoral Commission, it has been exemplary, professional, integrity, and of course accountability,” said Chamisa.
“There are a lot of challenges when you have such a process, but if you look at it, they were able to answer those concerns. If you compare that with ZEC, you give them your complaints, they don’t answer.
“In fact, what is clear from South Africa is that ZEC must be disbanded and be disbanded urgently; there can never be a proper election with ZEC in this country,” added Chamisa.
Chamisa stated that free, fair, and credible elections are fundamental to a nation’s stability and applauded South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC for accepting the election results, which saw the ruling party fail to garner a majority vote.
“The ANC, I’m sure they have respected the outcome; that’s how we should behave, that’s being exemplary. I want to thank President (Cyril) Ramaphosa and the ANC for giving democracy a chance and for accepting what the people want,” said Chamisa.
Chamisa expressed hope for a stable coalition government in South Africa and reiterated his call for SADC intervention in Zimbabwe’s disputed elections.
“Africa’s time has come. We need to fashion a next dispensation, the next Africa based on democracy, free and fair elections, credible institutions, not this rigging of elections.
“We hope that SADC will play its prominent role in adjudicating the dispute in Zimbabwe because we have not agreed on the issue of the election.
“In fact, it’s not about our agreement; the people of Zimbabwe know that the election was not conclusive in terms of choosing the leader which should be governing this country, hopefully that issue is going to be resolved,” said Chamisa.
I personally agree with the President Nelson Chamisa
It’s unfortunate our opposition parties always boycott the elections there will be no reforms in Zimbabwe as long as our opposition parties don’t change their attitude
Most opposition leaders have no capacity to reform this country,they have no knowledge,imi ve Nehanda radio have an interest in the India voting system learn from its and understand it ,ZIMBABWE is far behind in everything because of incomplete proposal never meeting world renowned standards .
Opposition leaders in ZIMBABWE are not honest ,CHAMISA in particular is only active after elections during elections they will be very economical in every sense , no agents are sent to critical rural areas ,the reforms they want were offered in 2009 thru COPAC CONSTITUTION REFORM, they played around with minds supporting it yet they had not refined the constitution.
For SA to be praised is simply because they took chances in their efforts to ensure transparency and reforms happen after CODESA CONSTITUTIONAL talks .good things don’t just come you work for them .is chamisa able to do anything after failing in previous efforts as minister of gvnt ,COPAC
Disbanding Zec without proposing a better alternative to the whole electoral system,and without mentioning best examples creates a vacuum in policy formulation, what ZIMBABWE needs is a broader policy example that change the whole system ie in India the hv an evm
Lastly you guys of the media must help ZIMBABWE to research for a better voting system so that you can help these politicians to be aware of a better method of voting that minimizes electoral malpractices
Personally in agreement with Nero
The legitimate President of Zimbabwe HE Adv Nelson Chamisa
How ivo vari mazviri vachiti vakabirirwa?
Chamisa is a suspect
On the contrary Chamisa should praise South African political leaders as “exemplary” models of mature and honesty leaders who respect the will of the people, drawing comparisons with Zimbabwe’s immature and over-excitable political leaders who are in the habit of always crying foul and rigging at the conclusion of all elections when they lose…