Swartbooi questions credibility of SADC election observer mission, flags Zimbabwe’s role in regional election interference

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi has raised questions on the composition of the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observer Mission (Seom).

He says the mission lacks credibility.

Speaking to Desert Radio on Friday, Swartbooi asked why Zimbabweans are included in the mission, despite the country’s “lack of credibility” in running its own elections.

Swartbooi said Namibia has little to learn from Zimbabwe in terms of democracy.

He also questioned the perceived continued interference by Zimbabwe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) party in elections in the regional bloc.

“The mistrust goes thick, like in a Netflix movie.

As far as we are concerned, the elections are already rigged. The interference of Zanu-PF is worrying.

“How is Zimbabwe the chair of the Seom observer mission? What can the Zimbabweans tell us about democracy in Namibia? Just like Robert Mugabe was asking: What can the British tell them about democracy in Zimbabwe? “How is an election observer mission led by Zimbabwe, which has never run a free and fair election credibly?” Swartbooi asked.

This comes after Zanu-PF has been accused of having a hidden hand in Botswana’s recent elections, which saw the toppling of former president Eric Masisi from power.

Some Zanu-PF members were seen campaigning in full regalia for Masisi’s party in what political analysts labelled “the kiss of death” that resulted in his demise and the introduction of new president Duma Boko.

“We Namibians should accept a declaration of fairness from such international observer team that the elections were free and fair? Should we accept an election observer mission like that?” Swartbooi asked.

Zanu-PF has also been linked to Mozambique’s chaotic elections.

Despite denying interference, Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who doubled up as SADC chair, prematurely congratulated the ruling Frelimo party on its “victory”.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa has described allegations of interference as “preposterous” in an interview with The Namibain on Thursday.

Swartbooi on Friday said liberation movements’ scheming in swaying elections in favour of liberation movements has left a trail of destruction.