HARARE – The daughter of Zanu PF deputy leader Kembo Mohadi was sworn-in as a commissioner of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Thursday.
Abigail Millicent Ambrose took her oath in front of President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House, an appointment sure to raise fresh questions about the elections body’s impartiality.
Ambrose is the former vice president’s daughter from his marriage to ex-wife Tambudzani. She is married to professional hunter and former pig-farmer Malcom Ambrose.
Mnangagwa also swore in Catherine Mpofu, Jane Mbetu Nzvenga, Kudzai Shava, Rosewita Murutare and Shepard Manhivi as ZEC commissioners.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said Ambrose’s appointment was “unacceptable.”
“This raises serious conflict of interest issues and goes to the root of the constitutional imperative for ZEC to be independent and non-partisan,” CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said.
“The unacceptable appearance of Zanu PF bias is impossible to shake off in the circumstances. Rest assured, we will challenge this as we continue to fight for electoral reforms ahead of the landmark elections in 2023.”
ZEC has faced recurring accusations of doing Zanu PF’s bidding and “rigging”, which it denies.
