The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) belongs to Zimbabweans.
It was established to advance our democratic aspirations.
Democracy is sacred.
Those entrusted with managing strategic institutions like Zec must always remember that any actions that undermine its financial position push us far behind our ambitions.
This is why Zec must fully disclose how the procurement of last year’s election materials ended up being questioned, with the whereabouts of US$40 million now a subject of tremendous guesswork.
We are debating a serious matter requiring that Zec, in the interest of transparency and accountability, publishes requisite documents for Zimbabweans to see for themselves.
In a terse press statement over the weekend, Zec was overly dismissive. That short statement was an insult to a people yearning for answers. This is the latest of many developments in this multi-billion-dollar industry called ‘looting’ — Zimbabwe’s fastest growing.
It must be addressed. Such a casual approach to serious issues demonstrates that the people we have seconded to manage Zec take us for fools
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If it continues to downplay this matter, the government must set up a commission of inquiry to probe if the alleged plunder of this war chest by politically connected individuals was not an inside job.
When US$40 million is questioned, there should be no room for muscle flexing and arrogance.
The public is eager to know if Zanu PF princelings fingered in the alleged corruption laundered or plundered public funds — and if they are being protected. Any attempt to dodge a nation in anger will be unfortunate. The people must know what transpired.
Making full disclosures behind the strong walls protecting those in power won’t work – the money in question belongs to us. But under the current circumstances, we may be forgiven for thinking the Southern African Development Community observer mission’s post-election report was on point. Unless the whereabouts of the queried fortune are explained, many questions will continue to arise regarding last year’s polls.
Zec will say disclosing full details of what transpired will be taking transparency too far. But this can only be the attitude of a defensive lot that thinks they are too big to report to their masters. If Zimbabwe probes and demonstrates that indeed, last year’s polls were mired in corruption, the culprits must face the full wrath of the law.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) took a bold stance to summon suspected individuals when Zec appeared to think what was coming out of social media was useless banter.
Those accused of wrongdoing trooped to Zacc before being caged for allegedly looting a goat fund for the poor. The same must be done regarding suspected corruption in the importation of election materials.
