The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) says it is unable and unwilling to deal with Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe’s reckless remarks that voters will be subjected to “command voting” in future and Zanu PF will “remain in power forever” as that is the constitutional mandate of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
It says investigations are done by police, while the NPA “institutes criminal procedures”. Zec further adds that it cannot condemn an alleged electoral malpractice “pending investigation and conviction using the procedures prescribed by law”.
This is contained in a letter, dated 19 July and signed by chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana, addressed to prominent lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu.
Prior to that, Mpofu had also written to Sanyatwe, giving him seven days to withdraw his remarks or face legal action.
Sanyatwe did not withdraw, meaning Mpofu can now act.
