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SA mission to Zim 'on track'
16/03/2005 15:03 - (SA)
Cape Town - The leader of the South African parliamentary observer mission to Zimbabwe's March 31 elections, Mbulelo Goniwe, appears to have scotched rumours the mission has encountered problems in Zimbabwe.
"The mission... has made progress in terms of achieving its mandate, particularly regarding familiarisation with the political environment and the electoral process in Zimbabwe ahead of the March 31 parliamentary elections," he said in a statement received at the South African parliament on Wednesday.
Since its arrival in Zimbabwe on Monday, the mission was "smoothly accredited" and further met with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission - the body overseeing the elections.
It also met with the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network, an NGO accredited to conduct voter education; the Electoral Supervisory Commission, the body supervising the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission; the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and the Zimbabwe Crisis Coalition, Goniwe said.
Conditions have improved
The parliamentary observer mission had also met the South African government mission and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission to jointly share ideas and opinions on the processes and other logistics necessary for the execution of their various distinct mandates.
"The various bodies in Zimbabwe reflected on the political environment, focusing on the elections campaign, the logistical arrangements made so far in preparation for the elections, and the legislative framework governing the elections and political campaigning."
The ZEC presented a very detailed and comprehensive report which reflected on its state of preparedness for the elections and gave a commitment that the elections would proceed smoothly.
Goniwe said the general indication by the various groupings pointed to the fact that conditions had improved since the last elections with few incidents of political violence and intimidation reported.
However, concerns had been expressed by some regarding legislation that in their opinion seemed to limit political activity, the role of NGOs, and media freedom, as well as freedom of expression, he said.
"The mission took into account all the various opinions expressed, which would assist in the observation of the elections so that the delegation is able to execute its mandate from an informed position."
The mission was expected to meet with the two main parties contesting the elections - the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Zanu-PF - on Wednesday, as it concluded its meetings with various interest groups. "The mission is on track and on course in terms of successfully executing its mandate," Goniwe, the African National Congess' chief whip, said.
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