The PDP launched its Get the Vote Campaign in Johannesburg, Park station where hundreds of Zimbabweans do their business.
Speaking at the meeting Givemore Chari of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Munjodzi Mutandiri of National Constitutional Assembly and leading human rights activist Nixon Nyikadzino were in agreement that Zimbabweans needed to participate but a level operating ground was supposed to be put in place.
Representatives from Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum (a coalition of South African organisations) among them Action for Conflict Transformation, COSATU, SACP and ANC reiterated that Africa was supposed to respect wills of people and halt vote rigging.
Sipho Theys of the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum lamented death of institutions of democracy in SADC and Africa and said it was high time politicians wake up and start according citizens their rights.
“We as South Africans express our concerns in the way elections are being conducted in the region. The situation in Kenya is a sad one which clearly shows what happens when system that promote free and fair elections are not in place.
“As citizens of this continent we urge leaders to promote democratic principles and if they are chosen through that democratic order it will be the will of the people. We do not support any political formation in Zimbabwe but calls for free and fair elections.
“We are therefore urging those in power and authority to value democratic principles that guide undisputed elections to be put in place before the 29 March election date like the access to media by both parties and impartiality in registering observers,” Theys said.
In the next two months the Peace and Democracy Project will bankroll the get the vote campaign in South Africa to urge all Zimbabwe to go and cast their votes – Trust Matsilele
Post published in: News