adminSenior Reporter
SOUTH Africa has expressed optimism that Zimbabwe will today conduct peaceful, free and fair elections.
The Deputy Minister in the presidency, Mr Obed Bapela, told journalists in the neighbouring country that elections would be free and fair.Mr Bapela, who is also head of the African National Congress (ANC) sub-committee on international relations, said Zimbabweans were ready to go to the polls to vote for their choice of candidates or parties in a peaceful manner.
“The recent referendum on the Constitution could be used as a yardstick measurement as it was free of incidents. Even the period of campaigning leading to the elections was peaceful and we are optimistic of free and fair polls,” he said.
“The ANC also is of a similar view that the elections would be conducted in a peaceful manner. We want to see credible, free and fair elections in all Sadc countries.”
Mr Bapela said Zimbabwe has done tremendously well in implementing political reform, signed by all parties in the GPA, which resulted in the referendum on the new Constitution.
“Transitions are difficult processes and, as the ANC, we are quite satisfied with the progress made. We will continue to support Zimbabwe as a member of Sadc, and as a neighbour to South Africa, in its efforts towards conducting free and fair elections,” said Mr Bapela.
He said ANC had historical relations with Zanu-PF.
Online Reporter