Zimbabwe MDC leader claims victory
Ruling party rejects claims it is recruiting a militia to ensure win in any run-off.
Hearing postponed
In depth |
|
“The matter has been postponed until tomorrow. I am concerned about the postponement but we will wait for tomorrow,” he told reporters.
“I want to say to President Robert Mugabe: ‘Please rest your mind, the new Zimbabwe guarantees your safety,'” he said.
Mugabe’s regime has been accused of widespread human rights violations and Tsvangirai was assaulted by the security services last year while trying to stage an anti-government demonstration.
The MDC had previously claimed that Tsvangirai won more than the 50 per cent of votes needed to secure the presidency in last Saturday’s election.
Zanu-PF on Saturday dismissed Tsvangirai’s accusations that the it was planning to do all it could to ensure Mugabe was in power after any run-off.
‘Peace-loving party’
“We are a peace-loving party and the people of Zimbabwe will not forgive anyone who foments violence,” Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu-PF spokesman, said.
Mugabe has signalled that he is willing to enter into a run-off vote for the presidency [AFP] |
Tsvangirai said that the ruling party was recruiting militias to carry out a retribution campaign ahead of the possible second round vote.
“Tsvangirai also knows he will not win in the run-off. That is why he is trying to avoid it by claiming victory,” Chinamasa said.
State television has reported that Mugabe supporters had seized one of Zimbabawe’s few remaining white-owned farms in reaction to reports that whites were returning to reoccupy their land.
The incident came after the country’s so-called war veterans – many of whom were born after independence in 1980 – vowed to occupt all the remaining white-owned farms in Masvingo province.
Global pressure
“If there is a re-run of the presidential election, let’s see what comes out of that. I think that is the correct way to go.”