'Discredited' EU EOM riled by report

THE European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) says there is a deliberate attempt by some State actors to discredit its members observing the elections.

Responding to a "defamatory" and "unfounded" report in the State media, EU EOM chief observer Fabio Massimo Castaldo described the report as "blatant disinformation".

According to the report, the EU EOM met journalists in Midlands and gave them whisky and fuel coupons among other freebies to tarnish the credibility of the country.

"The EU EOM has taken note of previous unacceptable attempts to discredit the mission. The EU EOM sees these articles as blatant disinformation of the Zimbabwean public," Castaldo said.

"They reflect a continued effort to undermine the EU EOM and credible election observation. The EU EOM was invited by the government of Zimbabwe to conduct a comprehensive, independent, impartial assessment of the electoral process.

"The EU EOM continues its work, according to its mandate and methodology based on the principles of independence, impartiality and non-interference."

In a statement on Friday, Information ministry permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana warned foreign observers not to stray from their mandate.

"Government will not hesitate to take stern action against any foreign observers who have chosen to break convention and dabble in the election processes of our country," Mangwana said.

"For the particular transgression raised in this statement, the government will take appropriate action."