Ramaphosa under fire for endorsing Zimbabwe poll

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s early endorsement of Zimbabwe’s general elections has sparked criticism from the main opposition and some pro-democracy groups amid growing concerns of electoral fraud and post-election violence. The Daily Maverick reports that Ramaphosa is one the few dignitaries who last week attended President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration for a second term in Harare. The Zimbabwe Economic Movement (ZEM) on Sunday wrote to Ramaphosa and all leaders in the SADC, as well as the AU and the UN, complaining about the closure of the democratic space in Zimbabwe following polls that were condemned by the opposition and regional and international observers. ZEM founder Devine Mafa said Zimbabwe is at a crossroads following the disputed elections, and called for Ramaphosa and the rest of the international community to intervene. ‘We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture where some leaders who should be champions of democracy and progress within our region are, at times, unintentionally or indirectly, lending support to a regime that has eroded the rule of law and pillaged our nation’s resources,’ he wrote.

Full Daily Maverick report