A ZANU PF-LINKED organisation called the Citizens says it wants Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Election Observer Mission (SEOM) head, Nevers Mumba, sanctioned for his adverse election report on the August elections.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Citizens representative Lloyd Machacha said the organisation would be collecting signatures for a petition against Mumba before submitting it to Sadc.
“The report by Mumba violates a number of clauses within the guidelines of the Sadc. The mission was also headed by someone with a criminal record, violating its 14.3(k) of its guidelines. The profile of someone who is supposed to head this delegation is not supposed to have any criminal record. The only report that we can acknowledge is the European Union report because it was clear and straightforward,” Machacha said.
The organisation said the SEOM overstepped its mandate of only observing and not to meddle in internal processes.
“The report was not objective as it barely covered Zanu PF strongholds. The SEOM also ignored the effects of sanctions on the political, economic and social fabric of the country. As a result, the SEOM is now being used as a conduit to undermine Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and democratic processes,” Machacha added.
While Mumba has courted the ire of Zanu PF and government over the SEOM adverse election report, other election observer missions also indicated that there were widespread irregularities in the August polls, including the disenfranchisement and intimidation of voters.
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Sadc has, however, since defended Mumba’s report.