Monday, March 31

Waiting in Harare

Zimbabwe is standing on a "precipice" as official results from Saturday's general election start to trickle in, the opposition has said.

Senior Movement for Democratic Change official Tendai Biti says party leader Morgan Tsvangirai has won 60% of the vote, against 30% for Robert Mugabe. Official results show both sides have 26 parliamentary seats so far. Mr. Biti says the results are being rigged.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa has lost his seat, east of Harare. Public Affairs Minister Chen Chimutengwende has also lost his seat in Mazowe, seen as a stronghold for President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.

Local results have been posted outside most polling stations since Sunday morning. One seat has gone to a breakaway faction of the MDC, according to official results. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told the BBC his party had won 99 of the 210 parliamentary seats, against 96 for Zanu-PF and 15 for other opposition parties, based on his party's final figures.

I hope there is a cell in Harare with Mugabe’s name, ready!


No comments: