HARARE – South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has broken his silence over Zimbabwean polls, posting a congratulatory message Monday to President Emmerson Mnangagwa over his controversial victory.
Mnangagwa was declared winner of Zimbabwe’s highly disputed election with a 52,6 percent vote.
His close challenger, Nelson Chamisa who polled 44 percent, has described the election as a “gigantic fraud”.
SADC and other observer teams from parts of the globe have refused to endorse a poll which they described as lacking in meeting the dictates of both the Zimbabwean constitution and the benchmarks set by regional and global organisations on the running of credible polls.
But in a message seen as an endorsement of Zimbabwe’s poll, Ramaphosa congratulated Mnangagwa for his victory.
“I congratulate President Emmerson Mnangagwa on his re-election. I wish him and the people of Zimbabwe well for the upcoming term,” Ramaphosa said.
His message will come as a surprise to many as South Africa is seen as a regional model democracy.
Mnangagwa has already been congratulated by Tanzanian and Namibian presidents.
