Staff Reporter
In a surprising turn of events, Zambian politicians have raised significant concerns about the appointment of Nevers Mumba, as the head of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observer mission for the just ended Zimbabwean elections.
Gatson Sichilima, a faction leader of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), has publicly stated that Mumba lacks the qualifications and impartiality required for the crucial role.
Sichilima questioned Mumba's fitness for the role, emphasizing that Mumba has yet to step down as the president of MMD, despite the expiration of his constitutional term limits.
"Mumba's two consecutive five-year terms as MMD president ended on May 25, 2022, following his initial ascent to the role on May 25, 2012. If there were to be disputes in the Zimbabwean elections, what credible advice could someone, who is clinging to political office against constitutional norms, offer to the contending parties? He simply lacks the ethical integrity to serve as an observer, let alone head the mission,” Sichilima pointed out.
The MMD leader also expressed reservations about Mumba's impartiality due to his close relationship with Nelson Chamisa, a key contender in the Zimbabwean presidential election.
"With his close connections to Mr. Chamisa, we believe that he cannot produce an accurate and professional assessment of the election outcomes," said Sichilima.
Sichilima argues that given Mumba's position in the clergy, ethical norms would expect him to declare conflict of interest and recuse himself from the role.
"As a man of the cloth, Mumba should have declared his interests and declined the election observer role, especially as the head of the mission. Anything less calls the integrity of the entire SADC mission into question," Sichilima added.
Sichilima also called for the recall of Mumba as the head of SADC election observer mission.
"We respectfully request the immediate withdrawal of Nevers Mumba's appointment as the head of the SADC election observer mission to Zimbabwe," said Sichilima.
Meanwhile, whether the SADC and other governing bodies will heed Sichilima's calls remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over Mumba's role as head of the Mission.
