In a live interview with Harare-based radio station Capitalk Priscilla Chigumba said: “I am not in any sexual relationship or any relationship whatsoever which has the potential or is likely to jeopardise my ability to discharge my functions.”
She told presenter Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa: “To answer you very expressly: I am not in a sexual relationship with a presidential candidate.”
Earlier, former Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi tweeted that Chigumba should resign because of “a private sexual relationship” that hindered her neutrality as head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
See tweets below
After Chigumba’s denial, Kudzayi persisted with his allegations, alleging Chigumba was in a relationship with a married member of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet.
He has vowed to publish a full story on Wednesday.
With elections just two weeks away, Chigumba has come under fire from opposition supporters for failing to ensure transparency over the commission’s work. Public anger against her mounted late last week after it was alleged that police officers in Bulawayo had been forced to vote in front of their commanding officers.
But in Monday’s radio interview Chigumba said her commission had received no complaints from any police officer being forced to vote openly. She defended herself against her critics saying: “I must balance being nice, being liked and simply telling the truth.”
Justice Chigumba must resign from her position at ZEC.
While her privacy must ordinarily be respected, there is a strong public interest argument in this instance where a private sexual relationship fetters the discretion of a judge.
I will publish the full story on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/m3ByRkWmkR
— Edmund Kudzayi (@EdmundKudzayi) July 16, 2018
Really? Must we do this? If she was a man no one would care how many people she’s been with and how many children she may or may not have.
What Justice Chigumba does in private is just that- private. Her private life is none of our business.
I don’t always agree with @ZECzim https://t.co/vFc71DpUkv— Chipo Dendere (@drDendere) July 16, 2018
Post published in: FeaturedChigumba is telling the truth that she is not in a relationship with a presidential candidate. I never mentioned a “presidential” candidate. Her lover is a married cabinet minister. Let’s talk on Wednesday tipedze nyaya yacho. https://t.co/FduVGpyMAY
— Edmund Kudzayi (@EdmundKudzayi) July 16, 2018
Rubbish story from yet another publicity-seeker. I’m sure Chigumba will take this idiot to court for these silly allegations.
: “I must balance being nice, being liked and simply telling the truth.”
Ummmmm….. HUH…????? She’s kidding, right? Or, is this how she lives her life, and how she does her job at ZEC…?
If she justifies compromising truth for the sake of “being liked”, how can anyone believe her when she claims there to be no political bias in ZEC when evidence indicates otherwise?
The fact is she is biased and incompetent, the salacious gossip is inconsequential. ZEC is a puppet for ED and his Junta gangsters.
Don’t care about her private life BUT Why is she bleaching in such an embarrassing fashion??