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Regional ecumenical observers deployed across Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC)
July 29, 2013

Eminent clergy and Church leaders from across Southern Africa have arrived in Zimbabwe to observe the country’s harmonized elections.

The 30 strong delegation has been deployed across the country’s ten provinces to observe the conduct of the polls and will remain in the country during the tallying of votes, the announcement of results and will also monitor the immediate post-election developments.

The delegation, which is on its second visit to Zimbabwe following an earlier visit this July, have commended Zimbabweans for the relative calm which is currently prevailing in the country.

Head of delegation Reverend Mmachakga Mpho Moruakgomo of Botswana appealed for calm and urged Zimbabweans to cast their votes in peace. “Emotions are high at present and we are calling on political leaders to be calm and put the country first. The success of the election will be a win for the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.

The church leaders urged all the parties to accept the results of the poll and where results were being contested parties were encouraged to resort to the courts for redress.

“We are not here to interfere, we as regional churches would like to see elections that are held in accordance with laws of this country and in accordance with SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. We would like to see results that reflect the will of the people of Zimbabwe. As observers we want to ensure that the secrecy of the ballot is protected and that poling is administered fairly,” Moruakgomo said.

The Zimbabwe Council of Churches is coordinating the visit of the regional religious leaders from ten countries drawn from the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCCISA).

The delegation urged Zimbabweans to continue to pray for peace and tolerance in the coming days and continue to advocate for the observance of the rule of law, the promotion and respect of human rights.

The Leaders of the delegations of the various countries are:

Rev. Mmachakga Mpho Moruakgomo - Botswana (Head of delegation);Dr Alfred Kalembo - Zambia (Deputy Head of delegation); Rev. Lucas Amosse and Jose Tembe - Mozambique, Rev. Pearson Banda - Zambia, Rev. Chizason Chunda - Zambia, Bishop Mbuyazwe Mnisi - Swaziland, Mr Godfrey Mkandawire - Malawi, Rev. Rupert Isaac Hambira - Botswana, Bishop Gilford Immanuel Matonga - Malawi, Gosiame Goodenough Choabi and Peter Moerane - South Africa, Ms Elma Dienda and Mr Alfret Beukes - Namibia, Mrs Masara Idlette Mathaha, Mr Stephen Mokobori and Archbishop Gerard Tlali - Lesotho, Gloria Mafole and Gabriel Urio – Tanzania.

ZCC has 26 mainline denominations which are members; it has 9 associate members and two observer members

View the Zimbabwe Council of Churches fact sheet

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