(22 Feb 2002)
Harare, Zimbabwe - 22 Feb
1. Various South African observers getting ready and driving off
2. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Mbulelo Musi, spokesman for the South African observer mission:
"We are going to be intensifying our observation so that we can assist the people of Zimbabwe to have an environment conducive to free and fair elections. We are also recognising that the task is very hard."
3. Various observers leaving in vehicles
4. Various South African Development Community (SADC) presser
5. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Duke Lefhoko, SADC Head of Observer Mission:
"Politically related violence of the past week in and around Harare continues to rear its head. This is a source of concern for our mission. The continued use of violence to advance political aims does not augur well for democratic ideals espoused by SADC treaty and the norms and standards of elections in the SADC region."
6. Cutaway press
7. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Duke Lefhoko, SADC Head of Observer Mission:
"The Forum calls upon the security forces to act impartially and professionally. Provide reasonable safeguards at political rally's, polling stations and party premises."
8. Various Movement for Democratic Change supporters hanging up campaign posters
9. Set up for Justice Minister
10. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe Justice Minister:
"The legitimacy of our elections does not depend on the presence of EU observers. And I can go even got further, the legitimacy of our elections does not depend on the presence of any observers. So to that end the withdrawal by EU countries is a non event in as far as it affects our forthcoming presidential elections."
11. Cutaway of Chinamasa
12. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe Justice Minister:
"As far as the nature of the sanctions are concerned I think the whole thing is a fuss quite frankly. I don't know what criteria was used, whether it was just that some ministers did not like the others is so farcical that I don't want to comment"
Johannesburg, South Africa - 22 Feb
13. Wide of airport
14. Various of press conference
15. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, ANC Chief Whip and member of the SA parliamentary observer mission:
"We must do everything as South African parliamentary delegation to ensure that the elections are free and fair in Zimbabwe. We have to create an atmosphere that is conducive for that. If we do not do that as South Africans and Africans we shall fail the people of Zimbabwe."
16. Various delegation leaving
STORYLINE:
South African election observers starting their mission in Zimbabwe on Friday, stressing the difficulties they face.
Observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) also arrived in the capital Harare. Duke Lefhoko, the S-A-D-C Head of Mission expressed his concern at the political violence, and called on security forces to remain impartial.
He also criticised the Zimbabwe government for failing to set up an independent electoral supervisory commission ahead of crucial March presidential elections.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe's Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa the legitimacy of elections in Zimbabwe are not determined by any observers. He also said that the E-U 'smart' sanctions are a farce.
Also leaving for Zimbabwe was a 20-member multi-party parliamentary delegation from South Africa, on a mission to observe the presidential election. The African National Congress's Chief Whip, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said that the South African MPs have to do everything possible to create the right atmosphere to have free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
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