Govt Defends Appointment Of Mohadi’s Daughter As ZEC Commissioner

Government spokesperson Ndavaningi “Nick” Mangwana has defended the appointment of ZANU PF Second Secretary Kembo Mohadi’s daughter, Abigail, as a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commissioner.

Mangwana said Abigail Millicent Mohadi Ambrose, who is Mohadi’s daughter from his marriage with ex-wife, Tambudzani, has a right to employment and service to their country as everyone else. Said Mangwana:

Children and relatives of high-profile people have the right to employment and service to their country as everyone else. That’s why it is called, “equal opportunities”.

It is called professionalism. Secondly, no single commissioner can override the work of the whole commission, they work as a collective.

Thirdly, is it not that people were openly interviewed by parliament?

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Was there a more qualified applicant who was excluded?

Abigail was sworn in by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday at State House alongside five other commissioners.

The opposition CCC has, however, criticised Abigail’s appointment as a ZEC commissioner saying it raises conflict of interest issues. CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said:

This raises serious conflict of interest issues and goes to the root of the constitutional imperative for ZEC to be independent and non-partisan.

The unacceptable appearance of ZANU PF bias is impossible to shake off in the circumstances.

Rest assured, we will challenge this as we continue to fight for electoral reforms ahead of the landmark elections in 2023.

The other ZEC officials who took the oath of office on Thursday are Catherine Mpofu, Jane Mbetu Nzvenga, Kudzai Shava, Rosewita Murutare and Shepard Manhivi.