President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed six Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) members, including one who is said to be a daughter of former Vice President Kembo Mohadi.
Mnangagwa made the announcement at Zimbabwe House today where he told journalists that the new appointees are Abigail Millicent Mohadi Ambrose, Cathrine Mpofu, Kudzai Shava and three others.
Zimbabweans immediately reacted with harsh criticism on twitter claiming that the appointment of Ms. Mohadi and others, was an indication that ZEC is not an independent body.
But Nick Mangwana, information secretary, said Mohadi’s appointment was done in accordance with the country’s laws.
In a tweet, Mangwana said, “Children and relatives of high profile people have the right to employment and service to their country as everyone else. That’s why it’s called, “Equal Opportunities”.
In the same twitter thread, Professor Mlambo questioned Mangwana’s response saying the careers of the high profile people are now in the hands of their children.
Prof. Mlambo added that “…Are you not even seeing a clear conflict of interest here? Can a child announce the defeat of her father's party? Can we trust the daughter of a VP to be neutral?”
Responding to these remarks, Mangwana said, “Yes. It’s called professionalism. Secondly, no single commissioner can override the work of whole commission. They work as a collective. Thirdly, Hanti people were openly interviewed by Parliament? Was there a more qualified applicant who was excluded?”
Rashweat Mukundu, a human rights lawyer, interjected noting that there is something wrong with the appointment of Mohadi’s daughter.
He said, “Kikikiki bla Nick serving the interests of their parents not national interests. Don't you see a direct conflict of interest here? If not then our darkness will persists much longer.”
Mangwana insisted that her appointment is above board, saying, “That’s a terrible assumption.”
But Freeman did not want let Mangwana’s remarks go unpunished. He said, “This is nepotism. But because it is ZANU PF, that word does not exist. You are creating ka dynasty but pakutiza I hope muchange makabatana semhuri imwe.”
Other new commissioners are Jane Mbetu Nzvenga, Rosewita Murutare and Advocate Shephered Manhivi.
The Commissioners were nominated by parliament in terms of section 237 and 238 of the constitution and candidate names were then forwarded to Mnangagwa for appointment.