(HERALD) MDC-T pullout a nullity: Chinamasa

MDC-T pullout a nullity: Chinamasa
Herald Reporters

ZANU-PF has advised its supporters not to be hoodwinked by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s threat to pull out of the presidential run-off while the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said preparations for the poll were going ahead because the opposition has not formally withdrawn. Addressing a media briefing last night, Zanu-PF media sub-committee chairman Cde Patrick Chinamasa urged ruling party supporters to continue campaigning for an emphatic victory.

"This is the 11th time that Tsvangirai has threatened to withdraw from the presidential run-off and on each occasion I have challenged him to put it in writing as required by the law.

"Zanu-PF is not treating the threats seriously; it is a nullity. We are proceeding with our campaign to romp to victory on Friday," he said.

Cde Chinamasa said Tsvangirai was citing political violence as an excuse, but the truth was that the majority of cases of violence were being instigated by MDC-T against Zanu-PF supporters.

Cde Chinamasa said MDC-T supporters had stolen Zanu-PF regalia, which they put on and go around attacking ruling party supporters.

"The MDC-T has stolen our campaign material to disturb their own rally for purposes of propaganda as they seek to have the international community intervene in our domestic affairs," he said.

Commenting on claims that Zanu-PF had disrupted a planned opposition rally in Harare, Cde Chinamasa said the ruling party was aware that Harare was an MDC-T stronghold and would not "expose its supporters to MDC-T hooligans attending the rally".

"Tsvangirai went into the election thinking that it was a sprint and was not prepared for a marathon and wants to avoid defeat. He spent his time globe-trotting and gallivanting in Europe and left MDC-T supporters without leadership.

"Zanu-PF exploited the opportunity and campaigned vigorously for victory and when he returned, he realised that the tables had turned against him. His party was in disarray, leading to the decision to withdraw from participating in the run-off."

Cde Chinamasa said the opposition leader was staring a humiliating defeat in the presidential run-off while his problems had been compounded by his failure to recruit polling agents for the election.

"Tsvangirai promised his polling agents US$1 000 after the March 29 elections, which was paid to a selected few and the agents who were not paid are not prepared to stand for him in the run-off."

He said Tsvangirai’s announcement to quit the election was calculated to coincide with a European Union meeting and the United States’ chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council.

"It is clear that Tsvangirai, through his announcement, is seeking to take advantage of the meeting and USA’s chairperson to invite a strong resolution against Zimbabwe by the Security Council.

"But as far as we are concerned, the situation in Zimbabwe does not warrant intervention from outside while the police are in control of the situation and the MDC-T attempts will not succeed."

ZEC chairman Justice George Chiweshe said the commission had not received any correspondence from MDC-T regarding its pullout and was continuing with preparations for the election.

"We have just heard about the withdrawal from the Press. We expect them (MDC-T) to write to the commission as the authority responsible for elections in the country. Maybe that letter will come and we will cross the bridge when we get there," he said.

Tsvangirai told journalists and observers in Harare yesterday that he had decided to withdraw from the presidential run-off but a final decision would be announced on Wednesday.

"We will no longer participate in the election process. We are going to articulate our vision and the way forward to the people of Zimbabwe and the world on Wednesday after further consulting the people," said Tsvangirai.

If Tsvangirai formally withdraws, President Mugabe continues as Head of State.