BOTSWANA opposition party, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), has informed the Zimbabwean embassy in Gaborone notifying officials of their planned march to deliver a petition today over allegations that Zimbabwean authorities are reportedly set to interfere with the neighbouring country’s elections to be held next week.
According to media reports from Botswana, on Tuesday, the UDC submitted the letter addressed to the Zimbabwean ambassador to Botswana, Henry Mukonoweshuro, highlighting their concerns and indicating their plans to march and hand in their petition.
“The continued involvement of your country’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in collaboration with the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) in manipulation of our election outcome,” the UDC wrote.
UDC further stated that Zimbabwe’s interference in the local election goes beyond State institutions to include collusion between the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Zanu PF to register ineligible Zimbabweans to vote in the October 30 general elections.
Signed by UDC head of communications, Moeti Mohwasa, the letter further read: “Because of Zimbabwe’s meddling in the 2019 elections, the outcome did not reflect the wishes of the people. As the UDC, we hold that this scenario, if allowed to continue, will not only distort and compromise our democracy, but has its potential to affect our people to people relations.”
The developments come a few days after Botswana’s former President Ian Khama warned citizens of a plot to rig that country’s elections with the assistance of Zanu PF.
“We just learned that members of Zanu PF voted in the just-ended Mozambique general elections. Remember (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa went on national television and promised to help sitting President Mokgweetsi Masisi win elections,” Khama said.
However, moments after declaring the BDP’s fall, Khama warned that the ruling party may have a sinister plan to rig elections.
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He said Masisi’s attempt to allow Zimbabweans to cross into Botswana using only their identity cards was a plan to cheat.
