Chief Fortune Charumbira, the vice president of the Chiefs Council, has been re-elected as president of the Pan African Parliament (PAP). He secured the Southern African regional caucus’s representation last Friday, which currently holds the presidency of the continental body.
During the election held at the PAP headquarters in Midrand, Johannesburg, Chief Charumbira received 127 out of 172 votes, ensuring his continuation as the head of PAP until his term expires next year. Other positions, such as the First Vice President and Fourth Vice President, were also contested and filled during the polls.
Chief Charumbira’s victory comes after he won the right to represent the Southern African regional caucus in a closely contested poll, defeating his opponent, Mr. Miles Sampa of Zambia.
The PAP elections took place following the expiration of incumbents’ memberships due to elections in their respective countries and changes of governments in some cases.
ALSO READ: Zanu PF Councillors Reinstated Despite Civil Service Resignation
Chief Fortune Charumbira previously served as the president of PAP but lost his membership, along with others, when Parliament was dissolved for the 23 August 2023 harmonized elections.
The convening of an Extraordinary Session of PAP was decided during the African Union summit held in Addis Ababa in February, attended by several heads of states and government, including President Mnangagwa.
During yesterday’s election process, there were some notable incidents, including the expulsion of social media activist Joseph Kalimbwe from Zambia from the PAP Midrand office for attempting to influence the election by distributing flyers aimed at discrediting Chief Charumbira.
Despite earlier acceptance of the election outcome and congratulating Chief Charumbira, Mr. Sampa later sought to disqualify him over allegations of financial impropriety from last year. However, the Ad Hoc Committee dismissed the petition due to lack of substantial evidence.
