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Flawed Election - not a Closed Chapter
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- Written by: Tendai Ruben Mbofana
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Published by Tendai Ruben Mbofana and reprinted with permission: Link to his article at end.
Flawed elections can never be a ‘closed chapter’!
Let me make this abundantly clear from the onset. Zimbabwe’s August 2023 elections roundly condemned by various international observers as not free, fair, and credible.
There is no way a flawed electoral process can simply pass by and be forgotten without its severe repercussions haunting the nation for a very long time to come.
Therefore, it becomes a fallacy and pure self-deception for anyone to believe that a country can get away with a corrupted election, just because those in power declared that it is now a ‘closed chapter’.
Thinking that way is not only delusional but also akin to the proverbial sweeping our nasty deeds under the carpet.
They will sooner or later inevitably rear their ugly heads.
It is like a man who is foolish enough to actually believe that the infidelity he committed against his partner recently – which she discovered and is seriously angry and aggrieved – is now a ‘closed chapter’ simply because he declared so.
He will soon learn that life does not operate that way!
In other words, pretending that all is well in the nation and everyone is happy over stolen elections has dire consequences – if not downright extremely dangerous.
This is a lesson that I wish those in authority in Zimbabwe would learn – and learn very quickly.
One cannot just wish away the ramifications of the grossly and unashamedly rigged, fraudulent, and shambolic 23rd and 24th August harmonized elections.
Is was quite unsettling and disconcerting hearing both the information minister Jenfan Muswere and his ruling ZANU PF counterpart Chris Mutsvangwa throw tirades at the EU EOM (Election Observer Mission) final report that was released yesterday (17th November 2023).
As to be expected they were at pains defending an election that was similarly discredited by various other election observers – such as the SADC, AU, COMESA and Commonwealth – as falling short of local laws and regional/international guidelines governing democratic elections.
It was even more ridiculous hearing the two men’s unashamed attempts at forcing the matter shut – by deceptively asserting that the country had moved on from elections and now focused on economic development.
Zimbabwe has no President
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- Written by: Tendai Ruben Mbofana
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....as economic chaos becomes the order of the day; 20-hours no electricity and no more tap water. HARARE
--Can anyone surely wake up in the morning, take a bath, don his suit, put on his scarf, and look himself in the mirror with a satisfied smile, calling himself a leader - when the country he leads goes for hours each day without electricity or tap water, whilst the citizenry cannot afford basic commodities, as the local currency flies through the roof? What manner of a person can be happy being referred to as 'Your Excellency', when it is clear that his leadership is nowhere near excellent? Where is the 'Excellency' in someone who fails miserably to lead and govern a small country of only 391,745 square kilometres, and 15 million people - which is three times smaller than South Africa, in both area and population? Yet, Zimbabwe is endowed with some of the most sought-after mineral wealth on the planet.
Surely, can there be a larger monumental failure than failing to provide a simple thing as electricity, water and affordable food to the people whom one claims to be the head? Most assuredly I say, had this been me failing to provide such basic necessities to my own family, of whom I am also the head - they would have dumped me as a loser a long time ago.
Oh wait, actually it already did happen - when in 2006, the mother of my son ditched me in the midst of the worst economic crisis to hit Zimbabwe - as I failed dismally in taking care of their needs. As a matter of fact, the main reason I have never faulted her for leaving me, nor ever harbored any ill-will against her, is because what she did is perfectly logical and understandable. Anyone, especially in a position of leadership, who cannot adequately perform or fulfill his duties, and deliver on his mandate, has absolutely no business being in that office.He should be removed, rejected and ditched!
In Jo'Burg too GoldMafia Action
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- Written by: DMRNO, ZIP, ZHRO, ZEM and Chief Felix Ndiweni
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Diplomatic Action against Zimbabwe Politicians implicated in Gold smuggling and Money Laundering involving individuals, local Financial Institutions, acts promoting lawlessness in SADC, noting failure by SAPS to comply with 30 October 2014 High Court ruling on human rights abuse in Zimbabwe. {Download the Written Petition HERE}
Zimbabwe Integrated Platform, Disabled Migrants Rights Networking Organization, Africa Integrated Platform, Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation, Zimbabwe Economic Movement, Zimbabwe Youth Alliance and stakeholders partners are bringing to your attention, and seeking enforcement and implementing the 2014 ruling by High Court, into Act for rule of law. We prevail with the possibility to curb an influx of migrants fleeing violence, intimidation and harassment into South Africa.
We understand that Gold Corruption, and Money Laundering by Al Jazeera involving politicians, individuals and local financial institutions should be investigated and perpetrators charged accordingly.
It is also noted that Human Rights abuses are being enacted due to dividends earned from Money Laundering and Gold smuggling syndicates.
On 30 October 2014, the Constitutional Court of South Africa handed down its judgment in a landmark case for international criminal justice.
- The appeal related to the responsibilities of the South African Police Service (SAPS) under domestic and international law to investigate acts of torture, as a crime against humanity, that were allegedly committed in Zimbabwe.
- The decision, by South Africa’s highest court, reaffirms the obligations set out in the South African Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act 27 of 2002 (ICC Act) regarding investigation and prosecution of international crimes.
- The case, which is the first to be brought in terms of South Africa’s ICC Act, provides substantive and practical content to South Africa’s Rome Statute obligations. The Constitutional Court found that South Africa’s prosecuting and investigating authorities ignored South Africa’s international and domestic obligations in their initial refusal to investigate.
Something Rotten in Zimbabwe
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- Written by: ZHRO, CCC Disapora and Chief Felix Ndiweni
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ZHRO PRESS STATEMENT
Date: 27 August 2023
On Wednesday 23rd August 2023, under the (claimed) administration of the 'Zimbabwe Electoral Commission' (ZEC), the Zimbabwe nation bore witness to an election marred by vote suppression, intimidation and intolerable abuse. The SADC report, along with the AU, EU UK and US observers, clearly highlighted these transgressions for the global community.
Despite these overwhelming difficulties, the resilient Zimbabwean people came forward in vast numbers, honestly casting their votes in the hope of a brighter and better future. For the sake of that elder woman who walked 2km and waited in line for two whole days to cast her vote, we will not rollover and accept fictitious lies.
However, tonight (the late evening of 26th August 2023), as ZEC declared their results, discrepancies have become glaringly apparent. The outcomes did not align with the evidence from the V11's recorded, a stark deviation that underscores the need for additional investigation.
It was as if ZEC had discarded all the original V11's and then fabricated "revised" V23's to suit the diktats of the Zanu PF regime and E.D. Mnangagwa in particular. E.D. Mnangagwa had even been offered "asylum" in Mozambique should he deem it appropriate, as at that time it was evident he was well behind in the polling. But no - 'old habits' die hard.
The absence of CCC's presidential candidate's Chief Election Agent's signature casts a shadow of doubt over the entire process. The questionable actions of some ZANU PF officials, who seemingly were privy to results in advance, further tarnish the credibility, fairness and transparency of these elections. We fear that this 'fundamental organ of democracy' can no longer be trusted to safeguard the votes made over the 23rd (and extended to) 24th August 2023.
The Election Observer Mission's preliminary report further echoes our concerns, pinpointing significant deviations from both national and international electoral standards. We unequivocally condemn the continued intimidation faced by CCC agents. Some were unjustly recalled by ZEC with the intent of amending the electoral results, an act that goes against the very essence of a democratic process. Reports of further abductions this evening also raises significant Human Rights concerns, and casts a dark shadow over the Zanu PF thugs involved.
In response to these challenges, CCC has initiated a comprehensive citizen's review of the vote count. Their endeavor is firmly rooted in hard evidence collected from all regions of Zimbabwe (V11 recording and sign-off). Their grassroots movement, made up of brave volunteers, endured intimidation, harassment, and violence. Yet, their commitment to uncovering the truth remains undeterred. ZEC's recent announcement only serves to galvanize their resolve.
In due course CCC will address the Zimbabwe nation, illuminating the path forward. Their allegiance to the millions of Zimbabweans advocating for trans-formative change is as steadfast as ever. They firmly believe that united, with truth as their guiding-light and justice as their goal, they can and will usher in the change Zimbabwe profoundly desires.
In closing. We appeal to all champions of democracy: Let's remain resolute in our collective pursuit. A new chapter in Zimbabwe's shared struggle awaits.
John Burke:
Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO)
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