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US soldier says Zimbabwe's military rigged the elections
11 hrs ago |
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A former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer, now serving in the United States military, has alleged that Zimbabwe's army played a central role in manipulating the 2018 and 2023 presidential elections.
Kelvin Muchineripi, who left Zimbabwe for the United States, made the claims in a video statement, asserting that opposition leader Nelson Chamisa was the rightful winner of the 2018 polls.
"You did not win the 2018 elections, Chamisa is the one who won those elections," Muchineripi declared, speaking in a mix of Shona and English. "People who were involved in rigging the elections came from the army. They worked with the database of the voter roll. If you want, I can even mention names. Even in 2023, you did not win the elections."
Muchineripi's allegations strike at the core of longstanding controversies surrounding Zimbabwe's electoral processes. Opposition parties and international observers have repeatedly raised concerns over voter roll tampering, intimidation, and ballot irregularities, but his testimony is notable for directly implicating military personnel in technical manipulation of electoral data.
Having served as a commissioned officer in the ZNA, Muchineripi is believed to have had insight into the army's operations and structures prior to his departure from Zimbabwe and subsequent enlistment in the U.S. military.
The Zimbabwean government and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) have consistently denied all accusations of election rigging. The ZNA maintains that it is a professional, apolitical institution, and officials have yet to respond to Muchineripi's specific claims.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who recently resigned from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has repeatedly maintained that his victories in both the 2018 and 2023 elections were stolen. Muchineripi's account, if verified, provides firsthand support for these longstanding opposition claims.
The allegations are likely to intensify scrutiny of Zimbabwe's military and electoral institutions, reigniting debates over transparency, impartiality, and the role of the army in politics.
Kelvin Muchineripi, who left Zimbabwe for the United States, made the claims in a video statement, asserting that opposition leader Nelson Chamisa was the rightful winner of the 2018 polls.
"You did not win the 2018 elections, Chamisa is the one who won those elections," Muchineripi declared, speaking in a mix of Shona and English. "People who were involved in rigging the elections came from the army. They worked with the database of the voter roll. If you want, I can even mention names. Even in 2023, you did not win the elections."
Muchineripi's allegations strike at the core of longstanding controversies surrounding Zimbabwe's electoral processes. Opposition parties and international observers have repeatedly raised concerns over voter roll tampering, intimidation, and ballot irregularities, but his testimony is notable for directly implicating military personnel in technical manipulation of electoral data.
Having served as a commissioned officer in the ZNA, Muchineripi is believed to have had insight into the army's operations and structures prior to his departure from Zimbabwe and subsequent enlistment in the U.S. military.
The Zimbabwean government and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) have consistently denied all accusations of election rigging. The ZNA maintains that it is a professional, apolitical institution, and officials have yet to respond to Muchineripi's specific claims.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who recently resigned from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has repeatedly maintained that his victories in both the 2018 and 2023 elections were stolen. Muchineripi's account, if verified, provides firsthand support for these longstanding opposition claims.
The allegations are likely to intensify scrutiny of Zimbabwe's military and electoral institutions, reigniting debates over transparency, impartiality, and the role of the army in politics.
Source - onlne
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