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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
FORMER South African president Mr Thabo Mbeki has called on African nations to respect the rights of Zimbabweans to choose their own leader and determine their own future. Addressing students of the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute in Pretoria on Monday, Mr Mbeki said it was worrying that long before the Zimbabwean elections, some forces sought to discredit them.
“There has been a worrying thing about the Zimbabwe elections, which is that there has been a much sustained campaign before the elections to discredit them before they happened. You could see it quite clearly,” said Mr Mbeki.
He said the just-ended harmonised elections were a reflection of the voices of the ordinary Zimbabweans.
“The people of Zimbabwe have a right to self determination. They have a right to decide what to do with their country and their future,” said the former South African president.
Mr Mbeki helped broker the power sharing deal between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations that subsequently led to the formation of the Inclusive Government in 2009.
The former South African leader agreed with the regional observers’ assessment of the polls.
Mr Mbeki’s statement comes after last week’s polls whose outcome MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai is disputing, claiming that they were rigged. He said his party was ready to challenge the results in court.
President Mugabe romped to victory winning a 61,09 percent vote in a peaceful plebiscite that also saw Zanu-PF surpassing a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Mr Tsvangirai polled 33,94 percent while MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube accounted for 2,68 percent of the vote. Zapu leader, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and Zimbabwe Development Party president, Mr Kisinoti Mukwazhe only managed 0,74 percent and 0,29 percent of the valid vote respectively.
South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday congratulated President Mugabe and Zanu-PF on their election success.
President Zuma said the elections were reflective of the will of Zimbabweans and urged all parties to accept the results. The leaders of Tanzania, Kenya and Namibia,
Presidents Jakaya Kikwete, Uhuru Kenyatta and Hifikepunye Pohamba have also congratulated President Mugabe on his victory while Botswana has been the lone voice in the region that has discredited the polls. President Kikwete is also the chairperson of the Sadc Organ for Politics, Defence and Security.
The Dean of Africa Diplomatic Corps and Democratic Republic of Congo Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Mwanananga Mwanapanga also described the elections as free and fair, adding that they were conducted in a professional manner.
The United Nations secretary-general Mr Ban Ki-Moon has also endorsed the polls.
Mr Ban Ki-Moon commended Zimbabweans for participating in what he has described as a broadly peaceful election. He said by voting in the elections, the people had exercised their democratic right.
The UN secretary general said those with complaints should take them through the right legal channels.
“The United Nations encourages the country’s leadership to govern responsibly, inclusively and to pursue policies and reforms that could serve to deepen democratic governance. The leadership should also spur economic recovery that would benefit all Zimbabweans” said Mr Ban Ki-Moon.
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