Categories: Stories

South African judge says only an idiot would steal an election on election day

A retired South African Judge Johann Kriegler, who is the former head of the Independent Electoral Commission, says the result of the just ended Zimbabwe elections may be genuine because only an idiot would try to steal an election on election day.

Opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has rejected the results saying they were rigged.

“The first victim of an election is always the truth,” Kriegler told a South African newspaper.

“I don’t think the result is at all surprising considering the stranglehold ZANU-PF has had on the country during its administration and rule of communities in particular,” he said.

“The fact that the MDC presidential candidate received more than 44% of the vote is remarkably good…

“I think there is no reason to doubt the result is genuine.

“It’s how you’ve kept the voters’ roll over the years. You have complete control over the media as the ruling party; you have complete control of newsworthiness, such as the opening of schools, bridges and roads, maintenance and support systems for the elderly and the needy,” Kriegler said.

Rivals of President Emmerson Mnangagwa led by Jonathan Moyo have been calling him EDiot after his popular initials E.D.

 

(397 VIEWS)

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to decide

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwe constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to…

March 24, 2026

Who started the war?

It is now 47 years since I wrote the short story below for a South…

March 4, 2026

Zimbabwe 2026 monetary policy statement at a glance

Zimbabwe has released its 2026 monetary policy statement in which it seeks to stabilise its…

March 1, 2026

Was Chombo Mugabe’s number two?

Far from it, on paper that is. Ignatius Chombo was one of the longest serving…

February 6, 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2026 citizen’s budget

Zimbabwe on Thursday announced a ZiG290.9 billion budget with revenue expected to be ZiG287.6 billion,…

November 30, 2025

IMF says Zimbabwe’s economic recovery in 2025 is stronger than previously anticipated

The International Monetary Fund says Zimbabwe’s economic recovery in 2025 is stronger than previously anticipated…

November 8, 2025