ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi has castigated members of the British House of Lords for allegedly interfering in Zimbabwe’s domestic affairs.
This comes after Lord Robert Hayward, who was an observer at the country’s last general elections, recently questioned the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) capacity to conduct free and fair elections.
Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord Hayward said there was no sign that ZEC “will enforce any form of free and fair elections” in 2023.
Togarepi told The Herald that such statements are uncalled for as they interfere with Zimbabwe’s sovereignty. He said:
We are gravely concerned with statements emanating from our erstwhile colonisers who have now made it a habit to debate issues concerning Zimbabwe, bellying their nauseating colonial hangover tinged by false pretensions of democracy and human rights.
This concern with our Chapter 12 Commissions from foreign countries is a breach of international statutes and even our own laws that brook no interference in local electoral processes.
Our re-engagement and engagement efforts must not be mistaken as docility, weakness, or desperation.
We are friends to all and enemy to none, but still mindful of our duty as the ruling party to safeguard our sovereignty from evil machinations that are brewed day in and day out by unremorseful yet wistful former colonial masters masquerading as democrats.
We hope the House of Lords remembers that Zimbabwe got its independence in 1980 and cannot be toyed with like some colonial outpost.
Togarei said the British House of Lords should leave Zimbabwe alone and debate about issues concerning their nationals such as soaring inflation and the high cost of living.