ZEC commissioner receives death threats

A COMMISSIONER with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), Mrs Netsai Mushonga, has reported death threats received on social media to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), saying she takes them very seriously.

Commissioner Mushonga, who has a strong presence on Twitter, has been using her social media account to post updates on election-related issues. However, last week she received a message from what appeared to be an anonymous Twitter account under the name Solomon Rex Nhongo Mujuru, threatening to shoot her.

“I have reported to the police the case of someone who threatened to shoot me. There are other cases of abuse and insult, but I have chosen to report that particular case because I took it very seriously. The person threatened to shoot me twice,” she told our Harare Bureau.

She said the threats would not deter her from routinely sharing information with the public through the micro-blogging site.

“I believe that whatever we are doing is right and my conscience is clear. I will not be deterred from doing our job. I will continue giving information to the public and I will continue tweeting because people have a right to information. We cannot deny people the right to information just because of a few malcontents,” she said.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza, who is Commander for ZRP 2018 Harmonised Elections Commitee, said law enforcement agents have launched investigations.

“We are looking into these issues and we will be following up with stations where the matter has been reported. I want to warn those that abuse social media that we have mechanisms to catch them if they commit crimes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zec has said it is too late for any political party to blame it for not kowtowing to their demands that are not provided for in the constitutional provisions guiding the holding of elections. The commission says it has not been rigid but has gone far beyond legislative expectations to meet the demands of the parties and prove transparency. Addressing a media and stakeholders forum on Friday evening in Bulawayo, Zec commissioner Dr Qhubani Moyo said nothing would stop the elections from being held.

“Zec is making it clear and emphatic that the elections would be held. In terms of the legislative framework, the commission is following the rules. There are some stakeholders that may not be happy with the way Zec is following the law. If they wanted things done in a certain way then they should have sought to make provisions for that in Parliament so that the electoral act reflects what they desire.

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