Cape Town – The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has refuted claims that Zimbabwe’s governing party, ZANU-PF, would be accredited to observe South Africa’s elections.
Last week, there was controversy over reports suggesting ZANU-PF’s involvement as election observers.
However, it was revealed that the African National Congress (ANC) had enlisted ZANU-PF to support its election campaign.
Concerns were raised by the African Transformation Movement (ATM) regarding ZANU-PF’s participation, citing allegations of political intolerance and election rigging.
ATM urged the IEC to admit only organisations with a proven commitment to democratic principles.
“We strongly condemn the notion of Zanu-PF being allowed to observe our elections due to several significant reasons. Firstly, Zimbabwe has a well-documented history of electoral malpractice and voter fraud in recent years, which seriously undermines the credibility of any electoral process they are involved in,” ATM president Vuyo Zungula said in a letter to the IEC
ATM is a Patriotic party…..learn or perish #fokof ZANU-PF https://t.co/TEOC9DPyZ4
— Cat M (@catmangope_m) May 10, 2024
He added: “Furthermore, permitting ZANU-PF to observe our elections is not only concerning due to their track record but also because of their close association with the ruling party in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC).
“Therefore, we urge the Electoral Commission of South Africa to reject any participation of ZANU-PF in the observation of our elections. Instead, we recommend engaging countries and organisations with established track records of upholding democratic principles and conducting free and fair elections.”
In response, the IEC clarified that neither ZANU-PF nor any other political party had been accredited as observers for South Africa’s elections and assured that measures were in place to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Well done President, I am sure ZANU-PF has a lot of work to do in Zimbabwe. https://t.co/7ODRXtVITn
— Thando we ATM 🤌 (@ThandoMaThahla) May 13, 2024
“I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 10 in which you expressed concerns regarding Zanu-PF’s participation in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections as an observer.
“The commission would like to reassure you and the ATM community that it has not accredited Zanu-PF, or any other political party, to observe the elections in South Africa. The commission strongly believes in the integrity of the elections it manages and, therefore, safeguards against measures that would compromise its processes,” the IEC said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
