Zimbos petition Pan African Parly over Zim crisis

Source: Zimbos petition Pan African Parly over Zim crisis – The Southern Eye

Zimbabweans in South Africa under the Sadc Citizens Democratic Society have petitioned the Pan African Parliament (PAP) compelling it to assist in resolving the country’s political and economic crisis following the disputed August 23 and 24 elections.

The petition was handed over to the secretariat PAP at the Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg, by Sadc Citizens Democratic Society leader Trust Ndlovu.

Ndlovu said they were concerned by the situation back home and were seeking assistance from PAP.

“As concerned citizens of Zimbabwe, we respectively urge the members of PAP to address the existing political crisis in our country. The crisis emerged as a result of disputed harmonised elections on August 23 and 24. It is widely acknowledged that Zimbabwe’s general elections failed to adhere to democratic principles garnering open condemnation from various quarters,” he said.

“As citizens, we express our gratitude for the Southern African Development Community’s unwavering commitment to upholding good political governance in the region, fostering a culture of democracy and upholding the rule of law.

“However, the current political crisis in Zimbabwe poses a significant threat to these fundamental principles and has the potential to have adverse effects on the entire region if left unaddressed.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was announced winner after garnering 52,6% of the total presidential vote against Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa’s 44%.

The opposition party has since disputed the election results describing the whole electoral process as ‘a gigantic fraud’.

Ndlovu added that the elections failed the credibility test as reported by several observer missions, among them a Sadc election observer team.

“We urged PAP to implement the Sadc recommendation and appealed that AU [African Union] intervention was very critical. So PAP should push AU member states to help Zimbabweans resolve the dispute and push for democratic reforms in Zimbabwe state institutions. We need elections under a new environment and dialogue is very critical in Zimbabwe to decide a way forward,” he said.

The petition was received by PAP officials, who promised to look into the matter.