Zimbabwe’s next elections are due in July 2023, just over two years from now. The nation is being reminded of how the 2018 elections were rigged.
“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was on Friday forced
to address the damaging allegations raised by Professor Jonathan Moyo, who in
his newly-published book, offers a gripping account of the elaborate electoral
fraud that he claims stripped opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa of
clear victory in the 2018 presidential election after winning by a staggering
66 percent,” reported Bulawayo 24.
“In 'Excelgate: How Zimbabwe's 2018 Presidential Election Was Stolen', Moyo
charges that President Emmerson Mnangagwa lost resoundingly to Chamisa after
polling just 33 percent, adding the Zanu-PF leader was saved by the Joint
Operations Command (JOC) – a shadowy assemblage of all state security apparatus
– which frantically stepped in and tampered with ballot figures in a
"brazen" and "audacious" con.”
Even those without Professor Moyo’s inside information of
the various CIO and ZDF operatives embed in ZEC, etc. knew the elections were
rigged. The whole process was not transparent one could not trace and verify anything.
There was no verified voters’ roll, a legal and common-sense requirement. The
public media was not free to all contestants. It was no secret that 3 million Zimbabweans in
the diaspora were denied the vote.
One of the real big surprises to any outsider was why the
opposition agreed to participate in the elections knowing fully well that this
will never ever be a free, fair and credible process. The outsider would have
soon learned that this was not Zimbabwe’s first elections where it was as clear
as day Zanu PF was rigging the elections. It was the same in 2013.
SADC leaders who were the guarantor of the Global Political
Agreement that gave birth to the 2008 to 2013 GNU, had literally begged the
contestants to postpone the elections until reforms were implemented. MDC
leaders, the main opposition in the 2018 elections had ignored SADC leaders’
advice back in 2013 and were ignoring it in 2018 for the same reason - greed.
Nelson Chamisa and his MDC A together with the rest in the
opposition camp were participating in the 2018 elections knowing Zanu PF would rig
the process.
It must have been a surprise when Chamisa challenged the presidential
result to the outside but not anyone else. Chamisa’s challenge was a bargaining
gimite to get Mnangagwa to share more of the spoils of power for his role in
participating in the flawed elections and giving him legitimacy. It is for this
reason Chamisa’s challenge never mentioned some of the obvious election
illegalities such as the failure to produce a verified voters’ roll.
Still Professor Moyo’s Excelgate has helped to shine some
light in some really dark corners in Zimbabwe’s dirty elections.
"As an embedded active CIO operative under the guise of
a seconded official, (Mavis) Matsanga's CIO credentials and real work at ZEC is
known only to Chigumba, the ZEC chairperson, as it was known to her
predecessor, Justice Rita Makarau,” wrote Professor Moyo.
"To put Matsanga's job at ZEC bluntly, it is to manage and rig elections
for Zanu-PF under the command of the CIO. In the 2018 harmonised elections,
Matsanga was deputized by one Chivasa, a retired military operative, seconded
to ZEC by the ZDF specifically to rig elections.”
Justice Rita Makarau was one of the nine Constitution Court
Judges who heard Nelson Chamisa’s challenge of the presidential election
result. In other words, Justice Makarau knew the 2018 elections were rigged the
same way Matsanga had rigged the 2013 elections when Makarau was the ZEC
chairperson. So, she must have been selected as one of the nine judges for her
specialist information on the workings of ZEC. The Constitutional Court was
very careful not to ask certain pertinent questions.
Both Nelson Chamisa and ZEC in their affidavits submissions failed
to produce the all V11 forms, the Polling Station record sheet of the vote
count of each contestant for the local election, parliamentary and presidential
race on which their results were based. ZEC had three different results which the
commission failed to reconcile precisely because ZEC did not have all the V11
forms.
How could ZEC, the body with the legal duty and responsibility
to ensure the whole elections process is free, fair and credible fail to keep
track key documents like V11 forms? Of course, the elections were rigged; in
the tampering and tinkering with the figures it was impossible to keep track of
all the forged V11 forms.
Some election observers reported of ZEC officials completing
V11 forms on their own. V11 forms should have been competed as the last act in
the vote counting process and the presiding officials and the contestants’
agents signed the V11 forms to confirm the details were a correct record of the
proceedings.
The Constitutional Court acknowledged the yawning discrepancies
in ZEC’s own affidavit but in the judges’ infinite wisdom they assumed all the discrepancies
and illegalities would not be in the “primary source” information in the sealed
Ballot Boxes.
However, the judges did not ask to have even a few sample
Ballot Boxes opened to verify their assumption. Of course, they knew the
missing V11 forms would not be in the sealed Ballot Boxes and there are some
Pandora’s Boxes one must never open; Judge Makarau knew this only too well!
Two years away from the 2023 elections; it is interest to
note that the 3 million or so Zimbabweans in the diaspora are, once again,
going to be denied the vote. The public media is still for the exclusive use of
the ruling party, Zanu PF. Matsanga and her deputy Chivasa are still working as
ZEC official and tasked to rig the next elections.
In short, nothing has changed since 2018 elections; Zanu PF
is set to rig the 2023 elections just as the party rigged the 2018 elections.
Why? Oh, why are Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti and the rest of
their MDC A team preparing to participate in the 2023 elections knowing fully
well Zanu PF is rigging the plebiscite? They are participating for the same
reason they participated in the past – greed.
Zanu PF will rig the elections and Chamisa will complain the
elections were “stolen” and may even challenge the result in the Constitution
Court. The judges in the infinite wisdom will, in turn, ignore the mountain of
evidence of voting irregularities and illegalities and declare the election
free, fair and credible and the Zanu PF candidate dully elected.
The opposition has been misleading people into believe the
nation can still get regime change by participating in these flawed elections.
By participating the people have given the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy whilst
hoping against reason for regime change.
After 41 years and counting of rigged elections the people
have yet to realise that the opposition is running with the povo hare by day
and hunting with the Zanu PF hounds by night. The penny is yet to drop but
until then the insanity will continue.
It is true that the 2018 elections were stolen but what is really shocking is that the same opposition players are preparing for the 2023 elections with nothing done to stop the same blatant rigging. Why is Chamisa and company not concerned that Zanu PF is just going to rig the 2023 elections just as they rigged 2018?
ReplyDeleteThe answer is Chamisa and company also know that Zanu PF will be giving away a few gravy train seats and these are what they are after. They do not care that the 2018 elections were rigged and the same for the 2023 elections as long as they will the few gravy train seats on offer.
Zimbabweans must wake-up to the political reality that ever since the MDC leaders failed tto implement even one reform during the 2008 to 2013 GNU they have given up the fight for reforms and free and fair elections. They are quite happy participating in flawed elections for a share of the spoils of power. MDC leaders are now running with the povo hare by day and hunt with the Zanu Pf hounds by night!
It will be insane for the people to participate in the 2023 elections with no reforms because they will just give Zanu PF legitimacy!
@ Mavaza
ReplyDelete“The COVID 19 pandemic, whose effects and devastation have been felt across all parts of the world, have magnified pre-existing differences in economic and social conditions of the vulnerable citizenry. It has disproportionately disrupted the livelihoods of those at the lower end of the income strata, and with limited scope for self- isolation-exacerbating employment insecurities and, hence, vulnerability to its contagion.
The robust response to the pandemic by Government, including the stimulus package of ZWL$18 billion, equivalent to 9% of GDP, have been targeted at ameliorating some of the negative effects on the productive sectors, safeguarding livelihoods, and saving of lives.”
Zimbabwe has only managed to vaccinate 700 000 with first jab and 400 000 with second jab or 7% and 4% respectively of the target 10 million herd immunity, 7 months after the first corona virus vaccine was approved. Some cities have run out of vaccines and thus slowing the vaccination programme even more. Some nations have vaccinated 70% plus of their population.
As long as Zimbabwe corona virus vaccination programme continues to lag behind the nation will remain a sitting duck subject to economic, health and live threats the pandemic brings.
Zimbabwe has the money to buy the vaccines and not have to rely on donated vaccines. Last week President Mnangagwa was giving away the first batch of US$30 000 twin-cab Isuzu trucks to the 270 Chiefs that will cost US$ 8.1 million. So government has the money to bribe the chiefs but no money to buy live saving vaccines?
It is an insult to all those Zimbabweans whose lives and livelihoods will be serious disrupted by the corona virus to read this nonsense of Zanu PF’s “robust response to the pandemic”. You contemptuous disregard of the facts and truth in your desperate effort to impress the Zanu PF leaders is an insult to the many Zimbabweans whose lives under the regime is hell-on-earth.
Zimbabwe's 2008 elections were a watershed elections in that the regime showed that there are no limits to what it will do to retain power. None! "What was accomplished by the bullet cannot be undone by the ballot!" declared Robert Mugabe as he unleashed the war veterans, the Zanu PF youths, the Police, Army and CIO to ruthless punish the people for having rejected him and the party in the March 2008 vote.
ReplyDelete"Zanu PF has declared war on the people!" moaned Morgan Tsvangirai as he announced his withdrawal from the run-off.
SADC leaders' sponsored 2008 Global Political Agreement offered the only way to end the Zanu PF's political strangle hold on the nation - they got Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies to agree to the implementation of a raft of democratic reforms designed to end the Zanu PF carte blanche dictatorial powers. It is a great shame, one of the darkest hours in Zimbabwe's history, that the 2008 to 2013 GNU failed to implement even one token reform.
There was no point in going into any election process without first implementing the reforms and take away Zanu PF's excessive powers to rig elections. SADC leaders were right on this point but, sadly, their pleas to have the elections postponed fell on deaf ears.
Professor Jonathan Moyo's book, "Excelgate: How Zimbabwe's 2018 Presidential Election Was Stolen" confirmed that Zanu PF does indeed have limitless powers to rig elections.
What beggars belief is why the people of Zimbabwe continue to allow themselves to be sucked into participating in these flawed and illegal elections?
Nelson Chamisa and the rest of the opposition opportunists are after the few gravy train seats Zanu PF is offering as bait. How the people are duped by Chamisa and company into believing the opposition can win Zanu PF rigged elections is the real mystery! How can people be so naive, thick and slow!
Zanu PF government has blocked controversial tycoon Billy Rautenbach from evicting thousands of Zanu PF supporters he accuses of illegally settling on his land in Harare’s Aspindale area.
ReplyDeleteHarare Metropolitan Affairs minister Oliver Chidawu told a recent meeting that the planned evictions would be politically suicidal as it could alienate the ruling party from a vital support base ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Well, well it could not be happening to a more deserving victim than Billy. He has supported the dictatorship for decades and, it must be said, the dictatorship carte blanche powers to do as he pleased. No the two devils are at each other’s throat, it is a great pity cobra never bite when they fight!
There is no denying that Zanu PF rigged the 2018 elections and Excelgate has given a more detailed insight on how the regime rigs elections. The real billion dollar question is why does the opposition continue to participate in these flawed elections?
ReplyDeleteThe ordinary Zimbabweans must open their eyes and see what is going on here. Chamisa and company are taking the people for fools!
There is no excuse for participating in an election process one knows is being rigged. Why would anyone with any brain want to be cheated not once but again and again and again. Zanu PF has rigged elections for the last 41 years.
ReplyDeleteEver since the 2008 to 2013 GNU Zanu PF has gone on to rig the elections but with MDC leaders’ connivance. First, MDC leaders failed to implement even one reform to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections in 5 years of the GNU. Second, MDC leaders have participated in these elections even when SADC leaders advised them not to because it was clear Zanu PF was rigging the elections.
MDC leaders have participated in the flawed elections out of greed, pure and simple. Zanu PF offered a few gravy train seats to all who participated and Chamisa and company found the bait irresistible. By participating MDC leaders gave the flawed process credibility and with it gave the results legitimacy. And MDC leaders have known these two points as David Coltart readily admitted in his book.
It is the ordinary Zimbabweans themselves who have failed to realise they are being short challenge not just by Zanu PF but by the conniving MDC leaders who have been telling the masses MDC will win the rigged. A deliberate lie to keep the people participating, of course, since MDC leaders have accepted the reality of Zanu PF rigging and winning elections in return for the few gravy train seats. It is for the people to open their eyes and refuse to participate in any more flawed elections until the reforms are implemented.
Madhuku is singing for his supper! Ever since he joined POLAD Madhuku has done well for himself! He was in the commission of inquiry over the 1 st August 2018 shoot, he was Madam Khupe’s lawyer in case that ruled Chamisa’s seizure of power in 2018 was unconstitutional and now this!
ReplyDeleteIf you cannot beat them, join them! Madhuku knows the 2023 elections are done and dusted as far as Zanu PF is concerned the party has its 2/3 majority plus the presidency he will be participating to win the few gravy train seats the party is giving away as bait.
The greatest challenge Zanu PF is facing is rigging the elections and still maintain the façade the elections were a genuine democratic contestation with credible opposition. With out a credible opposition Zanu PF will find it impossible gain legitimacy.
Zimbabwe’s opposition is losing political credibility given they keep contesting in elections whose outcome is predetermined long before the first ballot is cast!
Thank God, many ordinary Zimbabweans are starting to see the sheer foolishness of the opposition’s winning rigged elections ethos!
However, Moyo accused Mnangagwa of being "irrational and incompetent" by appointing a "loser" like Chinamasa as the Zanu-PF commissar.
ReplyDelete"Even as irrational and as incompetent as Mnangagwa's Zanu-PF has shown itself to be, appointing an acting national commissar like Chinamasa, who could not win an election in his backyard constituency in 2018, is clearly an act of desperation. All is not well at Shake Shake Building!" he said.
Chinamasa lost the 2018 parliamentary election for Makoni Central constituency to MDC Alliance's candidate David Tekeshe.
In the 2018 elections, several Zanu-PF officials also defied party instructions and stood as independent parliamentary or local council candidates after losing in primary elections resulting in the defeat of the party in some constituencies or wards due to a split in votes.
During his time as political commissar, Matemadanda was also accused of failing to organise and manage the December 2020 district coordinating committee elections (DCC) held across the country.
The elections were marred by violence, vote-buying, and serious factional divisions.
Chinamasa's appointment comes when Zanu-PF is on an ambitious national recruitment drive to reach five million supporters ahead of the 2023 elections.
If there is a time when the Zanu PF ruling elite have running diarrhoea and fevers galore from worrying it is during elections. The regime’s failure to revive the economy has meant the party has no choice but to rig elections.
In the water shed 2008 elections, the party was forced to throw all caution to the wind as it blatantly cheated in the March vote and then used wanton violence in the run-off that followed. SADC and AU leaders refused to recognise Mugabe and his Zanu PF regime as the legitimate government because of the blatant cheating and wanton violence. Mugabe was forced to agree to a raft of democratic reforms designed to stop the cheating and wanton violence and to form GNU which was then tasked to implement the reforms.
Fortunately for Mugabe, he was able to bribe Tsvangirai and his MDC friends with the trappings of high office and with the snouts in the feeding trough they forgot about the reforms. And so Zanu PF was able to retain its carte blanche powers to rig elections.
Still, ever since the GNU Zanu PF has had to rig the elections but be careful to bury the evidence, that is number one. Number two, rig the elections but without completely alienating the opposition; provide enough inducement to keep the opposition participating to maintain the outward appearance the elections are free, fair and credible.
There is a number three challenge coming up in the 2023, an increasingly sceptical electorate who are now beginning to serious question the logic of the opposition’s continued participation in flawed elections. A discredited opposition participating will not give Zanu PF legitimacy.
The country’s worsening economic situation is making the people increasingly restless, they want meaningful political change now more than ever. Zanu PF leaders have to balance the three demands and it is like a high wire walk in the middle of the storm – no wonder Zanu PF ruling elite have bouts of diarrhoea and high fever!
But in his book, Moyo claimed that Mnangagwa polled 33% to Chamisa's 66%, and that the Joint Operations Command, which brings together the state security apparatus high command, reportedly tampered with ballot figures in a "brazen" and "audacious" fraud
ReplyDeleteProfessor Jonathan Moyo has often been called a “turncoat” and Robert Mugabe himself called him “a devil incarnate” because he is such an opportunist whose moral compass has broken. Some people he said Moyo would sell his own mother and be proud he had a mother to sell for such is the man.
Yes, the vote rigging in July 2018 was a brazen and audacious fraud. But so too was the vote rigging in 2008 when the regime took six weeks cooking up the 5 million votes to overturn Morgan Tsvangirai’s 73%, by Mugabe’s own Freudian slip, to 47%, enough to force the run-off. Moyo was extra careful not to mention in his book any of the many other occasions the party has rigged elections because, as Zanu PF’s chief strategist from 2000 to 2017, he had a hand in the rigging.
The reader should not be surprised that the 2018 elections were rigged, of course they were rigged because Zanu PF has been rigging elections ever since the country’s independence in 1980. The real surprise here is why the opposition have been participating in flawed and illegal elections.
The whole Constitutional Court challenge of the result was a farce. Chamisa knew Zanu PF was rigging the elections and he boasted that “MDC A has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections.” Of course, it is nonsensical to then complain of rigging afterward.
Zimbabwe had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic reforms and cure herself of the curse of rigged elections. MDC leaders failed to implement even one reform in five years. SADC leaders wanted the 2013 elections to be postponed until the reform were implemented but Tsvangirai et al ignored them.
As we speak, Chamisa and company are mobilising the people to participate in the 2023 elections although it is clear that Zanu PF is rigging those elections too. The single most important lesson to be learned from Professor Jonathan Moyo’s Excelgate expose is why is Zimbabwe’s corrupt and incompetent opposition keep dragging the nation into these flawed and illegal elections. This is insane!
@ Dr Mavaza
ReplyDelete“The Zimbabwean and international space has been congested by Jonathan Moyo posting Twitter messages designed to bring Zimbabwe's reputation into disrepute. Professor Jonathan Moyo has dedicated his time on sensationalising people with lies and indeed trying to create a bad space between the people of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe's government. What makes it sad is the fact that Jonathan Moyo has been a minister in Zimbabwe where he was protected by the president's office members. He still has contacts in the Zimbabwean Intelligence organization which he uses to get information which he will distort to his own advantage. Sometimes it is difficult to let go. Jonathan Moyo cannot bear the fact that his glory times are gone.”
Anyone with any democratic credentials worth a spit has said Zanu PF rigged the July 2018 elections just from the lack of free public media, denying 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora the vote, failure to produce a verified voters’ roll, etc. What Jonathan Moyo has done is produce the juicy details of some of the brazen and audacious vote rigging by the regime.
ZEC’s own affidavit to the Constitutional Court admitted the commission did not have all the V11 forms, Polling Station summary sheet of the vote counts of each contestant signed by ZEC officials and the election agent of the candidates to certify their authenticity. To miss even one V11 form was an outrage; ZEC failed to produce about 10% of the V11 forms. Chamisa failed to produce even more V11 forms because his agents were never given their copies. Some election observer reported of ZEC officials completing V11 forms a day or two after the counting with none of the other players to certify the authenticity of the form. All these confirm Professor Moyo’s account of the rigging.
You, Mavaza, has not produced any evidence to prove none of these brazen vote rigging activities did not take place or any plausible explanation why ZEC had so many V11 forms missing! We all know that Moyo and Mnangagwa belong to the rivalry Zanu PF factions but that is hardly proof that Moyo “sensationalising people with lies”!
Mnangagwa rigged the July 2018 elections and he and his apologists like you, Mavaza, are the ones who are lying by claiming the elections were free, fair and credible!