By Munacho Gwamanda- A top official with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has died. 

On Wednesday, the Commission announced the death of its Acting Chief Procurement Officer, Simbisai Mutimba, but did not disclose the cause.

Mutimba, who joined ZEC in 2018, died on January 2, 2025. 

Her career trajectory within ZEC saw her rise swiftly through the ranks from Administration Officer for Bindura District to Acting Chief Procurement Officer at the Commission’s Head Office.

ZEC issued a statement mourning her death, saying:

“The Honourable Chairperson Mrs. Justice Priscilla Makanyara Chigumba, the Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Rodney Simukai Kiwa, Commissioners, the Acting Chief Elections Officer Mr. Simbarashe Tongayi, and the entire Commission staff would like to express their sincere condolences to the Mutimba family on the untimely demise of Ms. Simbisai Mutimba. May her soul rest in eternal peace.”

Mutimba’s death comes as ZEC remains under intense public scrutiny over its history of controversial election management, allegations of voter suppression, and accusations of facilitating election rigging. 

Since its formation, the Commission has faced repeated claims of bias in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party.

Critics argue that ZEC’s opaque processes, including its procurement systems for election materials, are key instruments of electoral manipulation.

In the lead-up to the 2024 general election, ZEC faced backlash for alleged irregularities in the delimitation of electoral boundaries, discrepancies in the voters’ roll, and opaque procurement of ballot papers—areas reportedly overseen by the procurement department Mutimba led. 

These controversies further eroded public trust in the body tasked with upholding Zimbabwe’s democracy.

While tributes pour in for Mutimba, questions linger about the operational integrity of ZEC, with many wondering if the Commission will ever shake off its reputation as a partisan tool of the state.