President Emmerson Mnangagwa won the disputed 2018
presidential election by a slight margin.
Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader
Nelson Chamisa accused the Zanu PF leader of rigging the election.
Mutambara, however, warned that it would be difficult to
change the status quo, citing an unfair playing field, which he said favoured
the ruling party.
“People who are creating problems in our country are Zanu
PF. They never won any election, actually they rigged. From 2000 up to 2018,
Zimbabwe elections have been fraudulent and rigged. All those were problematic
elections,” Mutambara said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika over the
weekend.
“They pay judges a week before elections. The Judiciary in
Zimbabwe is compromised. The possibility of free and fair elections is very
unlikely.
“The access to voters roll, fair coverage from State media
is problematic, so we are heading to the usual problems which are disputed
elections.”
The Judiciary has in the past said it is independent and
does not take instructions from the Executive.
He also condemned rising cases of political violence in the
country.
“People are in the courts, there have been cases of
political violence. The party [CCC] lost its activist in Glen View after being
attacked by Zanu PF supporters. There is no political tolerance. There are no
political reforms and electoral reforms. There is too much tension as we head
towards elections,” Mutambara said.
Last week, Tinashe Chitsunge, a CCC supporter, was killed
while fleeing a marauding Zanu PF mob in Glen View 7, Harare.
On the same day, Chamisa’s convoy was reportedly attacked
by suspected Zanu PF supporters in Mutasa district, Manicaland province, after
addressing a rally there.
Mnangagwa has pledged to ensure peace prevails, but critics
say authorities are to blame for failing to act on cases of human rights
abuses.
Zimbabwe has a history of disputed elections marred by
political violence. Newsday
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