Arrival of 27 Additional Observers to Elections in Zimbabwe

3 March 2002
For Immediate Release

Ladies and Gentlemen of the media

The SAOM has called you today for three reasons.

Firstly to brief you about the general impressions of the SAOM regarding the situation in Zimbabwe as we enter the final phase of the electoral campaigns of 9 and 10 March Presidential elections.

Secondly, to announce the arrival today of the last group of twenty seven observers from South Africa who will then be completing the total of fifty observers that is being deployed throughout the length and breadth of Zimbabwe.

Thirdly, to outline our major focus areas as we complete the first phase of our mission: studying the situation; interaction with stakeholders and engaging the authorities on issues such as political intolerance and intimidation with a view to assist in the creation of a free and fair environment prior to the elections.

The SAOM has been in the country since February 13, 2002. We have since that time met with the president, opposition leaders, government ministers, political parties, NGO's, media representatives and other role players. We have attended rallies, meetings, and deployed observers in various parts of the country including those reported to be having serious problems of political intolerance.

Our general assessment thus far is that while the situation is far from ideal, we believe that conditions prevail for the elections to be held that can reflect the true will of the people of Zimbabwe. The overall picture of reports given by our observers in ten regions, reflect a complex national situation.

In our time in Zimbabwe we have indeed observed isolated cases of violence. We have also received numerous reports of intimidation from our observers who are deployed in various parts of the country. This involves both major political parties. We condemn violence and we have previously drawn the attention of the authorities to this. We believe that political violence and intimidation helps nobody and is undoubtedly inimical to the holding of free and fair elections.

Even at this late stage of the campaign we believe that more can still be done by especially the political leaders in moderating their utterances and focusing the people on issues that are in the national interest. It is the utterances of the political leaders and the actions of the authorities, especially the law enforcement agencies that are critical in building an essential climate for a free and fair election by for example completely eliminating violence and intimidation.

It is in this context that we have noted with appreciation public statements made by the authorities to improve security prior to and during the election period. Specifically we appreciate the statement by the Commissioner of Police who has undertaken to provide more security for international observers and all the people concerned with elections in Zimbabwe. We appreciate the continued co-operation of the law enforcement agencies regarding cases we have reported to them.

There are instances, however, where there is lack of co-operation especially at local level and we will continue to raise such matters for we believe that it is essential that any manifestation of violence be dealt with decisively. Such steps would certainly go a long way towards enhancing the creation of a conducive environment for credible elections.

We believe the situation is not catastrophic. We have attended rallies of both major political parties viz. mainly the Zanu-PF and MDC. Tens and thousands of people attended these rallies and on the whole they have been peaceful.

What is more encouraging is the apparent satisfaction that the presence of observers seem to bring to the Zimbabwean people we have interacted with. Many have come to our observers and said that since their arrival in their areas, the situation has improved tremendously. We believe that the people really want to be given the opportunity to choose leaders of their preference without hindrance. We are, therefore, convinced that the majority of the people of Zimbabwe want peace and democracy.
The arrival today of the 27 observers to complete the South African Observer Mission of 50 members, comes at a critical stage of the electoral process. A time when we are moving into the most important phase in the preparations for the elections. These observers will be deployed quickly to various areas where they will either join those already deployed or go to new areas. In doing so, we shall continue to cooperate closely with other observer missions.

The main focus of our work will now shift to monitoring election preparedness throughout the country and more importantly CONSOLIDATING a major voter turnout at the polls on 9th and 10th March Presidential elections.

In the areas where our observers are deployed we shall be urging observers to interact with Constituency Registrars in provinces, in order to obtain more information relating to electoral boundaries; polling stations; counting stations; voter's rolls; and any other essential information on the rules of procedure to be followed during the electoral process. We shall continue to perform our task with a sense of impartiality and objectivity.

Ladies and gentlemen we also welcome the announcement made a few days ago by the Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament and leader of Zanu-PF, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, that his party will accept the whatever outcome of the elections. That is indeed a very significant announcement which augurs well not only for the holding of free and fair elections, but even more importantly, for the building of a stable democracy beyond the election period. What would complement this would be a similar change of stance from others who had previously taken a contrary position, especially the MDC and the Army.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the SAOM announced on its arrival in this country that its whatever mission is to assist the people of Zimbabwe to realise their democratic aspiration of electing leaders of their choice. The SAOM will do all in its power to make this nation realise that ideal. We want Zimbabwe and all its people to succeed. Their success is our success. Their success is also the success of the Southern African and the African continent.

Thank You.

Issued by : South African Mission
Enquiries : Mbulelo Musi
Cell number : 00 27 83 442 9041
Fax : 00 26 3 425 1859