Tinashe Sambiri| The United States Embassy in Harare has challenged the Zanu PF regime to hold by-elections in line with the provision of country’s constitution.

In a brief statement posted on Twitter, the US embassy emphasized the need to respect voters rights.

The regime is baulking at the holding of by-elections fearing defeat…

The US embassy said:
“When will the Zimbabwean government resume by-elections? Long-standing parliamentary vacancies have left over 754 000 voters in 26 constituencies without elected representation.

Only by-elections will restore these citizens’ rights to representation.

Many countries have held elections despite the pandemic, including Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, and the United States, demonstrating that COVID-19-safe elections are possible. We are confident Zimbabwe can do the same #ZimsSafetoVote #ZimVotesMatter.”

Information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana accused the US consulate of being “disrespectful” to the Zimbabwean government by publicly taking it to task over holding of by-elections.

“Surely, the US embassy knows where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located,” Mangwana claimed.