Cape Town – The Presidency has acknowledged the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) report detailing widespread irregularities in Zimbabwe’s elections but did not address claims of voter intimidation.
The Presidency congratulated Zimbabwe for conducting the elections, which led to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election.
“The Republic of South Africa congratulates the government and the people of The Republic of Zimbabwe for organising and holding the harmonised elections to elect the President, National Assembly and Local government representatives, which took place on 23 and 24 August 2023.
“South Africa is conscious that these elections took place under a difficult economic environment due to the burdening sanctions which the people of Zimbabwe continue to unjustly endure.
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“Furthermore, South Africa has taken note of the preliminary pronouncements by the invited International Observers Missions including the African Union (AU) and the South African Development Community (SEOM) Observer Missions,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.
It added: “South Africa calls on all the parties in Zimbabwe to work in unison in sustaining peace and work towards development and shared prosperity in the country.”
The SADC’s preliminary findings pointed to restricted freedom of expression for opposition parties and voters, as well as intimidation by a group called Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), purportedly a quasi-security intelligence organisation.
The SADC confirmed the presence of FAZ agents at polling stations and noted instances of voter intimidation.
Mnangagwa was declared the winner with 52.6% of the vote, defeating his rival Nelson Chamisa, who received 44%.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
