By Leonnel Mhuka
Nicholas Ndhlovu, Deputy Head at Marega Primary, was employed by ZEC as a Deputy Ward Election Officer for Ward 28 in Chipinge South. He is a registered voter at Marega Primary. On polling day, Ndhlovu got to the Marega Primary polling station to cast his vote and loudly, for everyone to hear, declared that he couldn’t write; therefore, he needed assistance in voting.
Again, loudly he said, “‘Ndoda pamapuwe,'” a slogan that was being used by ZANU-PF during the campaign period in Chipinge.
His actions were meant to set an example for voters on how they should vote after they had been instructed by the village head to be assisted in voting for ZANU-PF candidates.
First, it’s not true that Ndhlovu can’t write because he is a Deputy Head employed by MOPSE. Second, assuming that he wasn’t fit on the day, then how on Earth could ZEC allow such a person to take on such a huge responsibility as a District or Ward Elections Officer?
Below are his credentials:
Ndhlovu, Nicolas, 13-131622B13, EC No 0125866K: 0775766209.
Presiding Officer at Marega: Mudadirwa Raviro – 0774411125
This should call for scrutiny of the people employed by ZEC for such a crucial election. Some, if not many, of the Presiding Officers are members of “Teachers for ED” (Trs4ED), an affiliate of ZANU-PF. Although many handled their duties professionally, some, like Ndhlovu, openly showed allegiance to ZANU-PF, influencing the voting pattern. Another example is one Ziki Isaac, Polling Officer at Chipinge Primary School A (Ward 5 Chipinge Central), who is the Deputy Chairperson of Trs4ED in Chipinge. Ziki was initially deployed at Nemadzadza Ward 5 Mutema-Musikavanhu polling station, but CCC for local authority Oliver Chikumba raised concerns with ZEC District Elections Officer (DEO), Mr. Sagura.
Ziki was quietly transferred to Chipinge Primary. His details are 04-096231Z04, EC no 0128738G, 0775389326. Ziki is a Deputy Head at Kondo Pri in Chipinge.
