HARARE - The Director for Information and spokesman for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Shupikayi Mashereni, is a soldier serving with the Zimbabwe National Army, it has emerged.A source at the army pay and records revealed that security agents wielding unwavering support for Mugabe, were assigned to run electoral affairs of the country. Mashereni is a uniformed soldier with the Directorate of army public relations based at KG V1 barracks in Harare. He is propagandist and strong supporter of Zanu (PF), hence his appointment as ZEC spokesman. All departments of the government-controlled electoral commission are manned by state security agents, said the source.
The source indicated that, there was no way free and fair elections could be held with the current electoral commission in place. To manipulate results of general elections, Mugabe deployed his sympathizers such as retired soldier, Brigadier George Chiweshe, Brigadier Douglas Nyikayaramba and other senior soldiers to the ZEC. The army also utilized the postal vote to inflate the Zanu (PF) ballot, added the source.
Zanu (PF) is dragging its feet regarding commissioning of constitutional commissions such as the Zimbabwe Media Commission, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Zimbabwe Human Rights commission. It is widely hoped that if the commissions come into effect, democracy will prevail resulting in a people elected government running affairs of the country.