Job Sikhala, former legislator, warns against Zanu PF’s interference in Botswana’s upcoming elections, alleging that the ruling party is jeopardizing Zimbabweans abroad and undermining regional governance. He accuses Zanu PF of electoral manipulation in Mozambique and supporting the controversial former leader Edgar Lungu in Zambia.
Job Sikhala, the former legislator for Zengeza West and St. Mary’s, has issued a stark warning to Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, regarding its interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries, specifically Botswana. His remarks followed a rally in Botswana where former president Ian Khama alleged that Zanu PF has deployed agents to influence the upcoming elections scheduled for October 30, 2024. The incumbent, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, is seeking re-election amidst claims of Zanu PF’s involvement in recent electoral manipulations in Mozambique and South Africa. Sikhala, currently the chairman of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), expressed concern that such interference poses a significant threat to Zimbabweans living abroad, stating, “As Zimbabweans, we are being risked being hated everywhere in the region because of a stinking party that loves to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries.” He emphasized the apparent hypocrisy of Zanu PF, which decries external interference in Zimbabwe while engaging in similar tactics in other nations. Furthermore, Sikhala condemned Zanu PF’s actions as a “cancer” that jeopardizes regional peace and security, alleging their active role in undermining elections in other SADC nations like Zambia, where they reportedly support Edgar Lungu, a former president recently ousted from power. Additionally, Sikhala highlighted that recent elections in Mozambique, where numerous Zanu PF affiliates reportedly voted illegally, raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process favoring the ruling Frelimo party. He criticized Zanu PF for potentially endangering the reputation of Zimbabweans abroad and exacerbated regional tensions through its actions, thus calling into question their credibility and the stability of democratic processes in Southern Africa.
This article discusses the allegations made by Job Sikhala regarding the involvement of Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, in the domestic politics of neighboring countries, particularly in the context of forthcoming elections in Botswana and recent elections in Mozambique. The political climate in Southern Africa is tense, with Zanu PF accused of meddling in the electoral processes of various nations, jeopardizing both its international relations and the welfare of Zimbabweans living abroad. This situation is set against the backdrop of the historical ties between Zanu PF and other liberation movements in the region, highlighting the complexities of regional politics and the implications for future governance in Southern Africa.
In summary, Job Sikhala’s remarks draw attention to the troubling actions of Zanu PF as it allegedly seeks to interfere in the electoral processes of Botswana and Mozambique, potentially undermining regional stability and endangering Zimbabweans abroad. Through these allegations, Sikhala underscores the perceived hypocrisy of Zanu PF’s approach to governance, advocating for respect for the political autonomy of neighboring countries while urging a cessation of such disruptive practices.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
