Mr President, diaspora vote denial could contribute to Zanu PF’s defeat

DEAR President Emmerson Mnangagwa, In 2018, when you addressed Zimbabweans in the United States on the sidelines of the United Nations General Conference you promised to work towards achieving the diaspora vote by 2023.

Obviously, the diaspora vote cannot happen in 2023 as it is too close to elections even if the Electoral Amendment Bill currently being debated includes the diaspora vote.

It is certainly late to register the people in the diaspora in the remaining short period before elections take place.

However, the arrogance shown by Zanu PF parliamentarians during the debate is astounding.

Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF), who I used to respect, is seen on video walking around and making noise while Kambuzuma MP Willias Madzimure (Citizens Coalition for Change) is speaking.

Chinotimba is heard making an offending remark that have been made by other Zanu PF officials such as Obert Gutu and Patrick Chinamasa that sanctions must be removed in order to have the diaspora vote.

Let me make it categorically clear that people in the diaspora are not the ones who applied for sanctions to be imposed on Zimbabwe.

People in the diaspora are a mixed bag in terms of political affiliation.

Zanu PF, MDC, CCC and the Patriotic Party of Zimbabwe are among parties that have structures in the United Kingdom, the US, and other countries.

As Madzimure pointed out in his contribution, we even have teachers who were sent to Rwanda through a government-togovernment arrangement.

They are citizens and they need to vote. Every citizen has to be allowed the right to vote.

Mr President, it makes many believe that you were not sincere when you promised the diaspora vote when you addressed Zimbabweans in the US.

If you were sincere, you should have instructed your MPs to debate in favour of the diaspora vote.

If I may ask you, Mr President, were you sincere when you promised Zimbabweans living abroad that efforts would be made to have the diaspora vote in 2023?

Most embarrassing, there were Mozambican parliamentarians in the gallery when this debate was going on, and it is very interesting to know what impression about human rights they go back to their country with when Mozambicans

based in Zimbabwe are provided facilities to vote in Mozambican elections, a true example of the diaspora vote happening in southern Africa.

The diaspora vote now seems to be an election issue that has the potential to contribute to Zanu PF's defeat.

It adds to the list of your failures, and the general public can easily be made to see that you were trying to hoodwink the world into believing that you are a pro-democracy leader.

Even though the diaspora citizens may not be able to vote this year, the law must be changed to accommodate diaspora vote now.

At least, Mr President, you can tick a box to say I promised the diaspora vote, and at least the law is in place, as part of your campaign for 2023.

I saw video clips of spirited presentations by MPs Chalton Hwende (Kuwadzana East), Happymore Chidziva (Highfield West), Amos Chibaya (Mkoba), and I felt these are pro-people MPs who deserve re-election.

They really did the Zimbabwean diaspora community proud.

In conclusion, let me warn you, Mr President, that the diaspora vote denial may be the undoing for you and your party in the 2023 elections because millions of Zimbabweans based in the diaspora can influence their families back home who they support to vote you out. Forewarned is forearmed. Kennedy Kaitano