Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has advised Zimbabwe’s opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, to utilise proper channels in contesting the recent election results.
The election saw Zanu-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa declared as the victor by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, a result Chamisa rejects, citing fraud, intimidation, and corruption.
A preliminary report from election observers in the Southern African Development Community region also indicated that the elections did not meet the standards for being considered free and fair.
Speaking at an event in Soweto, Ramaphosa acknowledged Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s democratically elected president until the results are overturned
“Zimbabwe has made a declaration and it’s on that basis that we have issued our congratulatory message. So, the rest of other things still need to be processed, no doubt, and everybody including the government of Zimbabwe accepts that. So, let’s wait until everything is processed,” said Ramaphosa.
President @CyrilRamaphosa spoke to members of the media on #Zimbabwe earlier today in Soweto, Johannesburg. pic.twitter.com/HkBRb6sGdD
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 29, 2023
The 2023 Zimbabwe elections faced legal challenges, delays, and ballot paper shortages in some areas.
Chamisa said that change would come to Zimbabwe, despite resistance from Zanu-PF.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@CyrilRamaphosa
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
