Reports indicate that some Zimbabweans, including two undercover journalists, participated in Mozambique’s general elections on October 9, 2024, despite not being eligible voters.
According to The Mirror, the journalists cast their ballots at Nemanwa Growth Point near Masvingo as part of an investigation into potential electoral manipulation. They presented both Zimbabwean national IDs and Mozambican voter cards without facing any issues at the polling stations.
The report claims that Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party encouraged its supporters to register for Mozambique’s elections. However, ZANU PF’s Director of Information, Farai Marapira, dismissed these allegations, saying:
“Our party respects the law because that is what we fought for. There is no way a Zimbabwean can vote in a Mozambican election.”
Spiwe Maparanyanga, a Zimbabwean who participated in the voting, said she cast her ballot to strengthen ties between the two nations:
“We voted to ensure we can cross the border safely to buy goods. We also support FRELIMO, which we voted for.”*
Former ZANU PF councillor Edison Manyawi openly admitted to voting for FRELIMO, justifying it by referencing Mozambique’s support during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“Mozambique stood by us during the war of independence, and we are happy to return the favor,”* he said.
Zimbabwean opposition leader Job Sikhala criticized ZANU PF’s alleged role in Mozambique’s election, calling it a regional security threat. Posting on X, he urged regional political parties to unite against what he described as “a scourge of vote rigging” spreading across Southern Africa.
Sikhala further claimed that ZANU PF had interfered in South African elections and was attempting to influence upcoming elections in Botswana and Zambia.
Mozambique allows its citizens living abroad to vote in general elections without needing to return to the country. As a result, Mozambican nationals residing in places like Masvingo, Chegutu, and Harare were able to participate in the recent election.
The incident has sparked controversy, with opposition parties calling for greater scrutiny of electoral practices in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
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