Vuyo Zungula, the leader of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), a South African opposition political party, has written to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), over ZANU PF’s alleged involvement in observing South African elections.
South Africa is set to hold national and provincial elections on 29 May 2024 amid indications that South Africa’s ruling ANC has invited its Zimbabwean counterpart, ZANU PF, to campaign on its behalf, and participate as an observer mission during the elections.
In a letter dated 10 May 2024, addressed to IEC’s Mosotho Moepya, Zungula said allowing ZANU PF to observe South Africa’s elections risks tarnishing the legitimacy and credibility of the country’s electoral processes. Reads the letter:
<blockquote>
I write to you as the President of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to express our grave concerns regarding recent reports indicating that ZANU PF, the ruling party of Zimbabwe, intends to participate as part of an observer mission for the upcoming elections in South Africa.
We strongly condemn the notion of ZANU PF being allowed to observe our elections for 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.
Allowing ZANU PF to observe our elections risks tarnishing the legitimacy and credibility of our own electoral process.
Zimbabwe has faced serious challenges in conducting free and fair elections, as evidenced by reports from various international organisations over the years.
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).
Recent reports have suggested that the ANC has sought assistance from ZANU PF in their election campaign.
This raises serious questions about the impartiality and independence of any observation mission involving ZANU PF in South Africa.
Therefore, we urge the Independent 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.
It is imperative that we safeguard the integrity of our electoral process and uphold the trust of the South African people in our democratic institutions.
Allowing ZANU PF to participate in any capacity would undermine these fundamental principles.
We trust that the IEC will give due consideration to our concerns and take appropriate action to ensure that the upcoming elections in South Africa are conducted in a transparent, credible, and impartial manner.
</blockquote>
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ZANU PF’s Election Observers Will Undermine Credibility Of South Africa's Elections, Says ATM Leader

Botswana’s coalition of opposition parties has slammed the country’s electoral body for travelling to Zimbabwe to benchmark its election procedures, reported <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/botswana-opposition-slams-electoral-body-for-benchmarking-in-zimbabwe-/7487587.html">VOA</a>.
In business, benchmarking is the process of measuring business performance against competitors and high-performing companies.
A delegation from Botswana’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) visited Zimbabwe from 13 to 14 February ahead of the country’s general election later this year.
Utloile Silaigwana, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chief elections officer, told journalists in Harare that Botswana’s Independent Electoral Commission’s focus was on “management of electoral activities and how to conduct elections.”
Sialigwana also said Botswana’s visit is an endorsement of ZEC’s conduct of the elections.
However, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, spokesperson for the opposition Botswana National Front, expressed disappointment at the commission’s two-day trip to Zimbabwe. Said Motshegwa:
<blockquote>
One would have expected the IEC to benchmark in more developed democracies and systems with effective electoral institutions as an indication that they want to achieve excellence in their mandate.
The mission of Botswana’s IEC benchmarking in Zimbabwe is simple: Just to learn how to rig an election.
</blockquote>
Lawrence Ookeditse of the Botswana Patriotic Front said Zimbabwe cannot run credible elections. He said:
<blockquote>
We know that Zimbabwe for the past two decades has not been in a position where they have run credible elections. The election has been stolen time after time.
We see a situation where in the middle of an electoral process, the IEC in Botswana says they are going to Zimbabwe to benchmark.
If you want to benchmark to run elections, you are not going to go to Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Botswana Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, said there was no need to disparage Zimbabwe. He said:
<blockquote>
It [Zimbabwe] is a sovereign state, and these people are our neighbours. Yes, some [election] observers might have said what they said, but this has been said about many [other] countries.
But we can’t come here and castigate Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a sovereign state, [which] is doing as well as any other country. If you have nothing to say good about Zimbabwe, just keep quiet.
</blockquote>
Silaigwana said other electoral organisations from the region, including from Lesotho and Ethiopia, have visited to benchmark on conducting elections.
Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections were criticised by international observers who said they fell short of international standards and were conducted in an atmosphere of intimidation and fear.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Botswana Opposition Criticises Electoral Commission For Emulating ZEC

A delegation from Botswana’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) visited Zimbabwe from 13 to 14 February on a benchmarking mission as that country prepares to hold its general elections this year.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/botswana-electoral-body-to-tap-from-zecs-expertise/">The Herald</a> reported that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will assist the IEC in the management of electoral activities as well as the conducting of elections.
IEC’s two-member delegation comprised Osupile Maroba, who is the chief public relations officer, and Malefho Gopolang, the policy development and voter education manager.
Speaking at a recent media conference in Harare. ZEC’s chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana said:
<blockquote>
A two-member delegation from the Independent Electoral Commission of the Republic of Botswana has visited the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on a benchmarking mission in preparation for the October 2024 Botswana General Elections.
The benchmarking exercise will mainly focus on the management of electoral activities and the conduct of elections…
ZEC will also illustrate publicity activities such as its radio programmes, use of social media platforms and the website as well as rebranding initiatives to the visitors.
</blockquote>
Silaigwana said the visit also served as an endorsement of Zimbabwe’s recent general elections held on 23 August 2023.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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