Mugabe also pleaded for peace before, during and after the elections saying cases of electoral violence was an embarrassment to the country which is celebrating 33 years of independence.
Addressing thousands of people who thronged the National Sports Stadium in Harare for the Independence celebrations Mugabe said he had already advised the police to arrest perpetrators of violence.
He said people who lose in primary elections should accept the verdict of the poll in peace and rally behind the winning candidate while voters should be allowed to choose their leaders freely in the harmonised polls.
“Leaders in provinces, districts and wards, we want peace as political parties conduct primary elections. Do not impose yourself regardless of your status, let the people decide.
“No one should stop people from putting on their party regalia. I have already ordered the police to arrest anyone who evokes political violence,” Mugabe said.
Critics however are sceptical of Mugabe’s calls for an end to violence, saying his security lieutenants and party have in the past been left to do as they pleased against Zanu (PF) political opponents and civil society.
Infighting within Zanu (PF) over who would success Mugabe is threatening to tear the party apart. Mugabe was last week forced to postpone discussion on rules and regulations of primary elections to attend to divisions in Manicaland and Matabeleland provinces.
Mugabe said he welcomed the re-engagement efforts that were being initiated by Britain, European Union and United State of America with which it has suffered frosty relations for over a decade over alleged misrule and human rights abuses.
Recently, the EU removed restrictive measures on the majority of Mugabe’s cronies, in recognition of a successful constitutional referendum held on 16 March, but insisted on strict adherence to a roadmap that would lead to a free and fair poll expected sometime this year.
“We hope these efforts will lead to the unconditional lifting of illegal sanctions in Zimbabwe. We will never allow interference in our country. We need respect,” Mugabe said.
Britain, Zimbabwe’s former coloniser, and the US imposed sanctions on Mugabe’s government. Mugabe accused the west of siding with Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T to cause regime change.
He said the successful outcome of the referendum had demonstrated the greater values and aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe.
"I congratulate you all for voting for the draft constitution in large numbers and for showing great maturity by voting in a peaceful manner," he said.
Turning to farming Mugabe said development of a national irrigation policy was Zimbabwe’s best hope to alleviate the impact of persistent droughts that are a result of climate change.
Present at the celebrations was Vice President, Joice Mujuru, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Ministers Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe, President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe, Speaker of parliament, Lovemore Moyo and Chief Justice, Godfrey Chidyausiku.
Families of heroes of the Zimbabwe liberation struggle, war veterans, war collaborators, ex-detainees and thousands of ordinary Zimbabweans were also present.
Welshman Ncube who is a principal in the Government of National Unity boycotted the event for yet unclear reasons.
Post published in: News