The Progressive Zimbabweans in South Africa (PZSA) group is threatening to close the Beitbridge Border Post in an effort to pressure Zimbabwean authorities into calling for new elections. This push comes after Presidential Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner of the presidential election held on August 23-24, 2023, by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The victory was criticized by the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM), led by Dr. Nevers Sikwili Mumba, who deemed the election as not being free, fair, and credible. The SEOM cited concerns such as delayed voting, ballot paper mix-up, and voter intimidation.
The PZSA group has stated that it will announce the date for a shutdown. The group is advocating for new elections that are free, fair, and credible in Zimbabwe. In a flier seen by Pindula News, the group added:
Fix Zimbabwe, Stop immigration crisis in South Africa.
A significant number of Zimbabweans reside in South Africa, either as workers or students. This has caused immigration concerns, as some South Africans believe that Zimbabweans are taking away job opportunities. Authorities have also expressed concerns about the strain on the economy, particularly in the healthcare sector. Last week, a large number of Zimbabwean nationals residing in South Africa participated in street protests on Friday, September 8. They were expressing their dissatisfaction with the election results of August 23, which they claimed were manipulated in favor of the ZANU PF party.
The Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa, rejected the presidential results and called for fresh elections supervised by an independent body like SADC, the African Union or the United Nations instead of the perceived biased ZEC.
Following his inauguration on September 4, 2023, President Mnangagwa has announced his new cabinet. Congratulations from regional and global leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have reduced the likelihood of a fresh poll. Academic Ibbo Mandaza believes that regional and international bodies “will do absolutely nothing unless Zimbabweans themselves take the initiative to use this occasion to pressure the regional body to carry out its responsibilities under the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security“
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono shares a similar view, stating that Mandaza’s observation accurately captures the current post-election situation in Zimbabwe. He added:
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