Local NGO raises red flag over Zim situation

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has written a letter to Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, currently Sadc chair, about the deteriorating political and security situation, socio-economic conditions and livelihoods and shrinking democratic space in the country ahead of by-elections. 

In a letter to Chakwera, copied to DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, currently Sadc vice-chair, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, also troika organ chair, Crisis chairperson Peter Mutasa says regional leaders should intervene to stop the worsening Zimbabwean situation.

Mutasa says Sadc must send a fact-finding mission to investigate political violence and assess conditions for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe ahead of the by-elections on 26 March. 

He says Sadc should look at electoral reforms, focusing on the voters’ roll, Zec and fraud.

“Sadc should issue a statement in light of the deteriorating peace and human security situation in Zimbabwe,” Mutasa says.

“The Sadc community, in line with its objective of ensuring a democratic and economically developed region, should institute discussions on the situation in Zimbabwe, and develop a political and economic rescue package that is predicated on broad-based governance reforms.”—Staff Writer