BY CHIEF REPORTER
HARARE
A win for Robert Mugabe in the presidential election run-off on June 27 would be met with suspicion at home and abroad, say civic leaders.
Actions including the banning of MDC rallies in Matabeleland North last weekend, the arrest of senior MDC official Arthur Mutambara and six MDC legislators over the past week, intimidation, killings and laws aimed at boosting Mugabe’s chances make a fair fight unlikely, they say.
“Mugabe can be declared the winner, not because of a free and fair election but because of violence and intimidation,” said Dr Lovemore Madhuku, Chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly, a coalition of civic groups.
Mugabe accuses the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of stoking the violence and says the campaign is free and fair, telling foreign critics to mind their own business.
But the MDC says more than 50 of its members have been murdered by militants from Zanu (PF) in the last two months.
Army and security chiefs say they will have a major problem working with the MDC candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, if he manages to win.
The army chief of staff, Major General Martin Chedondo, repeated threats by army generals and told soldiers at the weekend that all soldiers should vote for Mugabe or quit the army.
“I think Tsvangirai would win 60-40 in a truly free and fair election. But what has been the impact of all the confusion and intimidation?” asked one Western diplomat.
But some commentators believe Tsvangirai will retain his win despite all.
“Mugabe is going to be assessed over his 28-year record and people will ask what can he do now that he didn’t do in those 28 years?” said political scientist Professor Eldred Masunungure.
Post published in: News