'Zanu-PF vitriol bolsters Sadc'

Zanu-PF attacks on the Southern African Development Community election observer mission (SEOM) have likely enhanced the credibility of the regional bloc which often attracts criticism for being "toothless," political analysts have said.

SEOM has been subject to Zanu-PF attacks after it issued an adverse preliminary report saying Zimbabwe's just-ended election was not credible citing a number of irregularities.

Zanu-PF has singled out SEOM leader Nevers Mumba, accusing him of being biased and a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) sympathiser.

Mumba, a former Zambian Vice-President, has dug in and defended the adverse report.

Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said Zanu-PF's angry outbursts had not dented the credibility of SEOM.

"I don't think Sadc is stained. On the contrary, its reputation and credibility have been enhanced," Ngwenya said.

"The cycle of integrity will be complete once they expel Zanu-PF from Sadc itself or at least, call President Emmerson Mnangagwa to order."

Another analyst Kudakwashe Munemo said: "It is rather how flawed the process was.

"Those who remained silent were very loud by their action of not being part of this (inauguration) process, they are not happy with how the electoral process unfolded."

Mnangagwa was inaugurated on Monday with three Sadc presidents from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Mozambique attending.

Presidents from Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Comoros sent representatives.

Analyst Rashweat Mukundu, however, said Zanu-PF was most likely to receive sympathy from liberation movements such as the African National Congress of South Africa.

"Sadc is fully aware of the challenges that Zimbabwe is facing and the problems it poses to various countries in the region but there will be a variance on how vocal the Sadc will be," said Mukundu.

"Some will be more vocal like Zambia, while others will be quiet but talk diplomatically like the Namibians."

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa used his inauguration ceremony to accuse the CCC of running down local councils.

"Our citizens, especially those in urban areas have endured poor service delivery for far too long," he said.

CCC spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, however, shifted blame to the Local Government ministry for unbridled interference in the running of local authorities.

"That is why we have called for devolution and total independence of councils including returning to the executive mayor and the decentralisation of resources," he said.