Conduct of some EU election observers questioned
Story by Regis Mhako
QUESTIONS have been raised over the conduct of some European Union election observers after they appeared to dabble into Zimbabwe’s internal politics in the run-up to the just-ended General Elections.
It has emerged that on the 5th of this month, European Union election observers Jerome Devries and Mari-Helen Thumus approached Kadoma businessman Mr Jimayi Muduvuri with the focus of the conversation on CCC leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the possibility of the ZANU PF-led government handing over power to the opposition outfit.
Mr Muduvuri says he categorically told the duo that it was not his place to comment on the power dynamics in Zimbabwe, although he was quick to point out that Advocate Chamisa was hamstrung by a lack of party structures.
“They phoned me on a Friday requesting a meeting and they indicated the agenda was to discuss issues to do with my hospital and works with the council representing churches. When they came the agenda changed. They asked me if the government was going to hand over power to Chamisa if he were to win and I told them anyone who wins in Zimbabwe is conferred with power. However, I told them straight away that Chamisa was never going to win since he had no structures and that there was no way he would form a government with such,” he said.
Mr Muduvuri says he was accommodative as the duo had expressed interest in knowing more about his hospital in Kadoma hence they were allowed to tour the medical facility.
It is however the interference with Zimbabwe’s political affairs which has exposed the Observer mission at a time when some election observers have been accused of overstepping their mandate after delving into constitutional issues which have nothing to do with the polls.
