WE ARE READY, PEOPLE ARE READY SAYS MDC AS IT AGREES TO GO FOR RUN OFF

MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai said the party had considered going for a run off and that he was prepared regardless of possible threats on his life. 

The people are ready and I am ready for the run off as this gives the people of Zimbabwe to participate in the final knock out round on Mugabe, said Tsvangirai 

Addressing media at Burgers Park Hotel in Pretoria Central both Mutambara and Tsvangirai said their contest in the run off was meant to give Zimbabweans yet another chance to fight the illegitimate Mugabe regime. 

However the MDC with its alliance partners from civic organizations agreed to get into the run off with conditions that were highlighted by Morgan Tsvangirai in his press briefing. 

Our key conditions in this run off are, total cessation of all violence by the ZANU PF thugs and total demilitarization. The elections should be open to all international observers to monitor.  

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has been highly compromised hence a need for it to be properly constituted as it has lost its independence especially its chairperson George Chiweshe.  

Media should be accredited to cover without conditions and SADC should have peace keeping missions according to Article 15 of the communiqué, said Tsvangirai. 

Mutambara in a solidarity speech to the media said Mugabe was under siege from the MDC and democratic forces adding that people of Zimbabwe on the 29th of March voted for change but that said that change was under threat. 

I am here to declare total war against Robert Mugabe. This run off is Robert Mugabe against the people of Zimbabwe and what I can promise is that all Zimbabweans will campaign vigorously for Morgan Tsvangirai, said Mutambara to a rapturous applause. 

Political commentator Takura Zhangazha in an interview with the Zimbabwean said after making all considerations the MDC had to take the risk of going into the run off. 

This is a risk worth taking, said Zhangazha. 

In a sign of unity the front row at the press conference was occupied by top three of Tsvangirai and two of Mutambara, Morgan Tsvangirai, Arthur Mutambara , Gibson Sibanda, Lovemore Moyo, and Thokozane Khupe. 

The press conference was being controlled by Nelson Chamisa, the spokesperson of the MDC.