Simbyakula’s presence at printing of Ballot papers raises suspicious

Ngosa Simbyakula

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has observed the presence of Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula at monitoring the printing of ballot papers in South Africa is raising undue suspicion and speculation around the printing process as regards its security and credibility.

Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says this is because Dr. Simbyakula is not just a mere member of the PF but a Minister in charge of internal security and custodian of key national affairs which includes overseeing operations of law enforcement agencies like Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Zambia Police and Anti-Corruption who also play a key role in the management of the electoral process.

In a statement to Qfm News Mr. Chipenzi states that given this development, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is now faced with the burden of explaining and persuading stakeholders that the Minister’s presence at the printing site in Johannesburg is necessary and will not compromise the credibility of the electoral process.

Mr. Chipenzi says his organization recommends that this explanation and persuasion be done immediately by the ECZ and PF government or PF party to avoid further speculation and confusion in the electoral process.

He says similarly, the PF government has a duty to account for the cost and presence of the Minister in South Africa, who should otherwise, have been represented by other party officials.

McDonald Chipenzi

The FODEP Executive Director has suggested that the PF government should have taken a leaf from other political parties and previous governments who avoided sending such high ranking officials more especially the Minister of Home Affairs who holds a strategic position in the country to monitor ballot paper printing which is sensitive process.

He says this would have helped in arraying any fears that the ballot papers may be tampered with thereby comprising the election outcome.