ZEC washes hands over Sanyatwe's remarks

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has declined to condemn the remarks made by General Anselem Sanyatwe at a Zanu-PF rally in Nyanga North constituency, where he seemingly claimed that the army was ready to assist Zanu-PF in rigging elections.

In a letter to ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba, lawyer and human rights advocate Thabani Mpofu demanded that the commission publicly refute Sanyatwe's assertion and assure the public that they are not complicit in undermining the popular will.

Sanyatwe's statements, which vowed that Zanu-PF would remain in power "until donkeys grow horns" and threatened to use "command voting" to ensure the party's continued dominance, have been widely criticized for violating the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Mpofu argued that ZEC's failure to address the issue would have consequences for the integrity of the electoral process.

In response, ZEC stated that it has no jurisdiction to condemn Sanyatwe's statement, citing that the investigation and prosecution of electoral offenses are the responsibility of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the National Prosecuting Authority.

The commission has declined to condemn the alleged act of electoral malpractice, citing that it cannot do so until a proper investigation has been conducted and a conviction has been secured through the legally prescribed procedures.

"The Commission feels that it cannot condemn an alleged act of electoral malpractice pending proper investigation and conviction using the procedures prescribed by law," Chief Elections Officer Utloile Silaigwana said.

Mpofu had requested that ZEC publicly refute Sanyatwe's assertion and assure the public that they are not complicit in undermining the popular will.

The controversy surrounding Sanyatwe's remarks has sparked concerns about the integrity of Zimbabwe's electoral process.

In his letter, Mpofu alleged that the general threatened to rig elections in favour of Zanu-PF and against the opposition, violating Section 155 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13). Mpofu claimed that Sanyatwe's conduct was unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, as it amounted to a willful and wanton violation of the Constitution and laws of Zimbabwe.