Zimbabwe and South Africa beginning new and exciting journeys- Mnangagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa who hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday said the two countries are beginning new and exciting journeys.

In a tweet last night Mnangagwa said: “Welcoming the new president of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, to the new Zim! Both of our countries are beginning new and exciting journeys.”

Mnangagwa came to power in November after military intervention and is serving the remainder of Robert Mugabe’s term until 21 August this year.

Ramaphosa replaced Jacob Zuma last month and is also serving the remainder of his term which ends next year.

Both presidents have promised to turn around the economies of their countries and end corruption which had become rampant in the two countries.

Corruption is reported to be costing Zimbabwe about $1 billion every year while in South Africa it was reportedly costing about R25 billion a year.

Mnangagwa is going for elections in July or August this year and is likely to face stiff challenge from the Movement for Democratic Change.

Some 112 political parties have registered with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for the elections but it is not clear whether all will contest.

ZEC boss Priscillah Chigumba said it appeared that some of the political parties seemed to be under the impression that they would get money from the government.

Two opposition parties have taken Mnangagwa to court to bar him from calling elections until the Political Parties Finance Act is amended so that all parties can get funding from the government.

The High Court ruled that their case was urgent and will be heard on Tuesday.

At the moment only parties that obtained more than 5 percent of the vote in the last elections are entitled to funding.

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